Modes
Guitar box patterns for the seven standard modes. Green circles denote the tonic. Each pattern spans two octaves. Relationships between each mode follow.
Ionian
Sequence: Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half |
Dorian
Sequence: Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole |
Phrygian
Sequence: Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole |
Lydian
Sequence: Whole-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half |
Mixolydian
Sequence: Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole |
Aeolian
Sequence: Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole |
Locrian
Sequence: Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole |
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Mode Relationships
It becomes easier to think in terms of modes if you remember that each mode simply shifts the tone sequence of the one next to it by one position. This is illustrated in the next table. When viewed in this manner, the pattern of shifts becomes more obvious.
| Position | Ionian | Dorian | Phrygian | Lydian | Mixolydian | Aeolian | Locrian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole | Whole | Half |
| 2 | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole |
| 3 | Half | Whole | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole |
| 4 | Whole | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole | Half |
| 5 | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole |
| 6 | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole |
| 7 | Half | Whole | Whole | Half | Whole | Whole | Whole |