Jazz Modes Guitar Cheat Sheet

Here is my quick, dirty and shameless cheat sheet for jazz modes; which can be applied to guitar and bass.

Guide for minor oriented modes:

• Find the root note on the top string. Example: A.
• Move two frets up (reaching G), and play the major scale (G major). Those notes build up the A Dorian scale.
• Move two more frets up (reaching F), and play the major scale (F major). Those notes build up the A Phrygian scale.

Guide for major oriented modes:

• Jump one string below (reaching D), and play the major scale (D major). Those notes build up the A Mixolydian scale.
• Move one fret down (reaching D#), and play the 7 scale (D#7). Those notes build up the tritone substitude for A7. That’s not really a jazz mode, but is still useful.
• Move one more fret down (reaching E), and play the major scale (E major). Those notes build up the A Lydian scale.

 

Advertisement