Modes of D for Guitar

Understanding the modes in the Key of D Major involves using the same set of notes (D, E, F#, G, A, B, and C#) but starting and ending on a different note for each mode. This shift in the "center" changes the intervals and the overall emotional character of the music.

Below are the seven modes derived from the D Major scale, starting from the 5th fret of the A string (5th string). This is of course, one way of playing these, countless other variations can be made–use your imagination!! Or better yet, proceed to the next octave, so that you are playing 15 notes in total.

1. D Ionian (The Major Scale)

The "parent" scale. It sounds happy, stable, and resolved.

Intervals: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#

Plaintext

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------4--6--7---|

D|-----------4--5--7------------|

A|--5--7--9---------------------|

E|------------------------------|

2. E Dorian

Common in jazz and blues. It is a minor-sounding scale but with a "brighter" 6th interval.

Intervals: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7

Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D

Plaintext

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------4--6--7---|

D|-----------4--5--7------------|

A|--7--9--10--------------------|

E|------------------------------|

3. F# Phrygian

Sounds dark, exotic, and "Spanish." The flat 2nd gives it a very tense, haunting quality.

Intervals: 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7

Notes: F#, G, A, B, C#, D, E

Plaintext

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|-----------------------7--9---|

D|--------------7--9--11--------|

A|--9--10--12-------------------|

E|------------------------------|

4. G Lydian

A major scale with a raised 4th. It sounds dreamy, ethereal, and often "spacey."

Intervals: 1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7

Notes: G, A, B, C#, D, E, F#

Plaintext

e|-------------------------------|

B|-------------------------------|

G|-----------------------9--11---|

D|--------------9--11--12--------|

A|--10--12--14-------------------|

E|-------------------------------|

5. A Mixolydian

The "bluesy" major scale. It’s a major scale with a flattened 7th, perfect for dominant 7th chords.

Intervals: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7

Notes: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G

Plaintext

e|---------------------------------|

B|---------------------------------|

G|-----------------------11--12----|

D|--------------11--12--14---------|

A|--12--14--16---------------------|

E|---------------------------------|

6. B Aeolian (The Natural Minor Scale)

The relative minor of D Major. It sounds sad, serious, and grounded.

Intervals: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7

Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A

Plaintext

e|---------------------------------|

B|---------------------------------|

G|-----------------------12--14----|

D|--------------12--14--16---------|

A|--14--16--17---------------------|

E|---------------------------------|

7. C# Locrian

The most dissonant and unstable mode. It is used over diminished chords and rarely serves as a "home" key.

Intervals: 1, b2, b3, 4, b5, b6, b7

Notes: C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B

Plaintext

e|---------------------------------|

B|---------------------------------|

G|-----------------------14--16----|

D|--------------14--16--17---------|

A|--16--17--19---------------------|

E|---------------------------------|

Tips for Practice

Drone Note: Play a low D string (open 4th string) and play through all these modes. Even though the notes are the same, you will hear how the "mood" shifts drastically as you change the starting note.

Three Notes Per String: The tabs above use a "3-note-per-string" approach, which is excellent for building speed and fluidly moving across the fretboard.

To understand Parallel Modes, you keep the same root note (D) but change the scale intervals for each one. This is the best way to hear the unique "flavor" of each mode because the baseline (D) never moves.

Since you want these starting on the 5th string (A string), 5th fret, here is the fretboard breakdown for all 7 Parallel Modes of D.

The 7 Parallel Modes of D

1. D Ionian (Major Scale)

Formula: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#

Character: Bright, happy, satisfied.

Plaintext

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------4--6--7---|

D|-----------4--5--7------------|

A|--5--7--9---------------------|

E|------------------------------|

2. D Dorian

Formula: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7

Notes: D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Character: Sophisticated, jazzy, "cool" minor.

Plaintext

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------4--5--7---|

D|-----------3--5--7------------|

A|--5--7--8---------------------|

E|------------------------------|

3. D Phrygian

Formula: 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7

Notes: D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb, C

Character: Dark, Spanish, tense.

Plaintext

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------3--5--7---|

D|-----------3--5--7------------|

A|--5--6--8---------------------|

E|------------------------------|

4. D Lydian

Formula: 1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7

Notes: D, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#

Character: Dreamy, spacey, ethereal.

Plaintext

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------4--6--7---|

D|-----------4--6--7------------|

A|--5--7--9---------------------|

E|------------------------------|

5. D Mixolydian

Formula: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7

Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C

Character: Bluesy, rocking, dominant.

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------4--5--7---|

D|-----------4--5--7------------|

A|--5--7--9---------------------|

E|------------------------------|

6. D Aeolian (Natural Minor)

Formula: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7

Notes: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C

Character: Sad, tragic, heavy.

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------3--5--7---|

D|-----------3--5--7------------|

A|--5--7--8---------------------|

E|------------------------------|

7. D Locrian

Formula: 1, b2, b3, 4, b5, b6, b7

Notes: D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C

Character: Dissonant, unstable, "scary."

e|------------------------------|

B|------------------------------|

G|--------------------3--5--7---|

D|-----------3--5--6------------|

A|--5--6--8---------------------|

E|------------------------------|

Comparison Table: How they differ from D Major

Mode

Alterations (vs. Major)

The "Vibe"

Lydian

#4

Dreamy

Ionian

None

Happy

Mixolydian

b7

Bluesy

Dorian

b3, b7

Cool/Jazz

Aeolian

b3, b6, b7

Sad

Phrygian

b2, b3, b6, b7

Dark/Exotic

Locrian

b2, b3, b5, b6, b7

Chaotic

Pro Tip: To really hear the difference, record yourself playing a low D power chord (D5) or just a low D drone note, then play these scales over it one after another. You’ll hear the "mood" shift instantly as you change the scale.