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This will come in handy for anyone who has ever been confused about using the modes to solo over a diatonic progression. If you’ve read things telling you to use the Dorian scale over this chord and the Lydian scale over this other chord and thought to your self, “They are the same scale scale, what are they talking about?!”
By simply targeting different notes of the Ionian scale when soloing you highlight the sound of each different mode.
Ways to target notes include:
- Playing the on a strong beat (downbeat)
- Holding targeted notes longer then non targeted notes
- Adding large leaps from one targeted note to another
- Starting and ending your phrases on targeted notes
Check out the diagram below. If you were to solo and target the notes from the E minor arpeggio you would basically be playing the E Phrygian mode. If you focused on the notes from the G dominant seven arpeggio you would then be playing the G Mixolydian mode.
The major scale sound is so ingrained into our heads however that you will probably be draw back to the notes of the C major arpeggio. Below the graphic I’ve included a playlist from Quist of different guitar backing tracks for all seven modes of the C major scale. Use them to jam over, matching them with the corresponding targeted arpeggio notes in the Ionian mode.
The Arpeggios Hidden in the Ionian Mode
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