Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Here's a practice method to help you hear and learn the modes in a very practical way.
We're going through all seven modes in the key of C major, so all the white keys on the
piano, so to speak. This first one is Ionian. The next video is Dorian, then E Phrygian,
and so on. Same scale shapes every time, seen from a different perspective.
THE PROBLEM THIS FIXES
The biggest problem I've seen with students is that they look at a shape on the fretboard
and think the lowest note of the position must be the root. "That one starts on F, so
that's a Lydian shape." That's not really true. Every position in this video is a C major
position, and you'll see exactly where the root note sits.
HOW IT WORKS
90 seconds in each position. Do not make this super long. It's better to do this daily
and get it done. You can always spend more time if you want.
11 positions on a 24 fret guitar. That's what we're covering.
Drone running the whole way, root note in gold, plus the color notes.
In major I think both the 4 and the 7 are important. The 4 leads back to the 3, and the
7 leads up to the 1. Put those together and you basically have the whole story of western
harmony.
A note being marked doesn't mean it's a nice note to land on. It just defines that mode.
You'll hear this and make up your own mind about what notes you like.
Treat each shape like it's its own instrument. Those are the only notes you have. That's
the limitation.
It's not about making an amazing solo. You're exploring the shape.
In this first video I'm showing you how to do it. And believe me, you've got to do the
work here.
THE APP
I'm using Fretboard Lab in this video. You don't need it. You can just play along with
the video. If you want it, it's available via The Practice Room, linked below.
👉 THE PRACTICE ROOM
Over 20 courses, the tabs, the programs and the Practice Lab. Everything I add from here
is included, at no extra cost. One payment. No subscription.
skool.com/thepracticeroom/about
NEXT IN THE SERIES
Dorian: youtu.be/JgTm0NfTQn0
Chapters:
0:00 Intro and explanation of the method (don't skip it!)
05:24 Shape 4 Of Ionian
06:58 Shape 5
08:34 Shape 6
10:08 Shape 7
11:42 Shape 1
13:17 Shape 2
14:53 Shape 3
16:27 Shape 4
18:00 Shape 5
19:37 Shape 6
21:14 Shape 7
#guitarlesson #modes #ionian #majorscale #fretboard #guitarpractice
Here's a practice method to help you hear and learn the modes in a very practical way.
We're going through all seven modes in the key of C major, so all the white keys on the
piano, so to speak. This first one is Ionian. The next video is Dorian, then E Phrygian,
and so on. Same scale shapes every time, seen from a different perspective.
THE PROBLEM THIS FIXES
The biggest problem I've seen with students is that they look at a shape on the fretboard
and think the lowest note of the position must be the root. "That one starts on F, so
that's a Lydian shape." That's not really true. Every position in this video is a C major
position, and you'll see exactly where the root note sits.
HOW IT WORKS
90 seconds in each position. Do not make this super long. It's better to do this daily
and get it done. You can always spend more time if you want.
11 positions on a 24 fret guitar. That's what we're covering.
Drone running the whole way, root note in gold, plus the color notes.
In major I think both the 4 and the 7 are important. The 4 leads back to the 3, and the
7 leads up to the 1. Put those together and you basically have the whole story of western
harmony.
A note being marked doesn't mean it's a nice note to land on. It just defines that mode.
You'll hear this and make up your own mind about what notes you like.
Treat each shape like it's its own instrument. Those are the only notes you have. That's
the limitation.
It's not about making an amazing solo. You're exploring the shape.
In this first video I'm showing you how to do it. And believe me, you've got to do the
work here.
THE APP
I'm using Fretboard Lab in this video. You don't need it. You can just play along with
the video. If you want it, it's available via The Practice Room, linked below.
👉 THE PRACTICE ROOM
Over 20 courses, the tabs, the programs and the Practice Lab. Everything I add from here
is included, at no extra cost. One payment. No subscription.
skool.com/thepracticeroom/about
NEXT IN THE SERIES
Dorian: youtu.be/JgTm0NfTQn0
Chapters:
0:00 Intro and explanation of the method (don't skip it!)
05:24 Shape 4 Of Ionian
06:58 Shape 5
08:34 Shape 6
10:08 Shape 7
11:42 Shape 1
13:17 Shape 2
14:53 Shape 3
16:27 Shape 4
18:00 Shape 5
19:37 Shape 6
21:14 Shape 7
#guitarlesson #modes #ionian #majorscale #fretboard #guitarpractice
