Modes: 3-on-a-string

Many people talk about modes, and there is a good bit of confusion about them. This may be because of the way they are taught. People often teach each respective mode based on the major scale. For instance, they will say that Ionian mode is M2, M3, P4, P5, M6, M7, and P8. They will go on to teach that the Dorian mode is R, M2, m3, P4, P5, M6, m7, and P8, and Phrygian mode is R, m2, m3, P4, P5, m6, m7, and P8, and so on through Lydian mode, Mixolydian mode, Aeolian mode and Locrian mode. This is technically correct and may help in understanding the make-up of the modes. However, a much easier way to apprehend the modes is to see them as the first note of a given major scale. For instance, if we take the C Major scale (C,D,E,F,G,A,B), the modes would be C Ionian mode, D Dorian mode, E Phrygian mode, F Lydian mode, G Mixolydian mode, A Aeolian mode, and B Locrain mode. In the key of G, it would be G Ionian mode, A Dorian mode, B Phrygian mode, C Lydian mode, D Mixolydian mode, E Aeolian mode, and F# Locrian mode. (In System 1, I explained this in more depth.)

We will use 3-on-a-string forms to go through the modes. Since they use 3 notes per string, there is a normalized picking pattern that makes it easier to pick than the CAGED system. 3-on-a-string also allows the player to stretch farther on the neck. For instance, if you play G Major in the CAGED system starting on fret 3 of the E string, your high note would be A on the high E string. Using 3-on-a-string, your high note would be C. 3-on-a-string is also more conducive to legato playing and thus can be much faster than the CAGED box forms. 

Once you finish this system, you will be well on your way to mastering the fundamentals of guitar playing and improvising. These capabilities are the primary building blocks toward guitar mastery.