The Major Scale Shapes

The Major Scale ( Ionian)

Dorian (the 2nd Mode)

Dorian (Relative)
Dorian (Parallel, as it’s own mode)

Phrygian (the 3rd Mode)

Phrygian (Relative)
Phrygian (Parallel, as it’s own mode)

Lydian (the 4th Mode)

Lydian (Relative)
Lydian (Parallel, as it’s own mode)

Mixolydian (the 5th Mode)

Mixolydian (Relative)
Mixolydian (Parallel, as it’s own mode)

Aeolian (the 6th Mode)

Aeolian (Relative)
Aeolian (Parallel, as it’s own mode)

Locrian (the 7th Mode)

Locrian (Relative)
Locrian (Parallel, as it’s own mode)

NOTE: As we learned in “There’s More Than One Shape” Lesson, there are also different fingerings and ways to play the scales below. In fact, very often I would even prefer to use a different shape. These shapes below are simply most traditional and academic way to learn these shapes and so worth studying!

The Major Scale has 7 Shapes that fit together like a Jigsaw Puzzle that cover the entire fretboard. Each shape shares a “wall” with the shape on either side of it. There are no empty spots on the fretboard; once you’ve got to the end of the 7 Shapes of the Major Scale, they just start right back over again!