The Modes

Each mode starts on the 7 different notes of the major scale; which means there are 7 different finger patterns. Since C major is the easiest scale to work with, let's start with it.

C major - C D E F G A B C

Each mode would start and end on the 7 different notes -
mode 1   C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C
mode 2   D  E  F  G  A  B  C  D
mode 3   E  F  G  A  B  C  D  E
mode 4   F  G  A  B  C  D  E  F
mode 5   G  A  B  C  D  E  F  G
mode 6   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A
mode 7   B  C  D  E  F  G  A  B

Now lets give the modes their proper names:
(you might see other names given to the same mode, but these are the standard)

1. Ionian      C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C    same as major scale
2. Dorian      D  E  F  G  A  B  C  D
3. Phrygian    E  F  G  A  B  C  D  E
4. Lydian      F  G  A  B  C  D  E  F
5. Mixolydian  G  A  B  C  D  E  F  G
6. Aeolian     A  B  C  D  E  F  G  A    same as minor scale
7. Locrian     B  C  D  E  F  G  A  B

You might be saying, what good is that? It's just the major scale starting on different notes; that's easy. At first glance it is, but it can take a lifetime to master....

Finger Patterns:

You might find other ways of playing the same mode than shown below, but I recommend this way; I keep them all consistent by starting each mode with my 1st finger.

Here are the first 4 modes:

1. Ionian mode (major scale)
     E  -|-1-|---|-2-|---|-4-|--
     B  -|---|---|-2-|---|-4-|--
     G  -|---|-1-|-2-|---|-4-|--
     D  -|---|-1-|-2-|---|-4-|--
     A  -|-1-|---|-2-|---|-4-|--
     E  -|-1-|---|-2-|---|-4-|--

2. Dorian mode
     E  -|-1-|---|-3-|-4-|---|--
     B  -|-1-|---|-3-|-4-|---|--
     G  -|-1-|---|-3-|---|---|--
     D  -|-1-|---|-3-|---|-4-|--
     A  -|-1-|---|-3-|---|-4-|--
     E  -|-1-|---|-3-|-4-|---|--

3. Phrygian mode
     E  -|---|-1-|-2-|---|-4-|--
     B  -|---|-1-|-2-|---|-4-|--
     G  -|---|-1-|---|-3-|---|--
     D  -|---|-1-|---|-3-|-4-|--
     A  -|---|-1-|---|-3-|-4-|--
     E  -|---|-1-|-2-|---|-4-|--

4. Lydian mode
     E  -|-1-|---|-2-|---|-4-|--
     B  -|---|---|-2-|---|-4-|--
     G  -|---|-1-|---|-3-|-4-|--
     D  -|---|-1-|-2-|---|-4-|--
     A  -|---|-1-|-2-|---|-4-|--
     E  -|-1-|---|-2-|---|-4-|--

If you were to play all these modes in the C major scale then -

Ionian would start on the 8th fret (1st finger, 6th string)
Dorian would start on the 10 fret
Phrygian would start on the 12 fret (also start open 6 string)
Lydian would start on the 1 fret    (also on 13 fret)

This is how you get to know the whole fretboard. You should be able to see how the modes fit together; how the mode above and below share the same notes with different fingers.

All 7 modes are described in more detail in my book.

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