Interactive Greek Modes Guitar Tool

Learn Greek modes with interactive guitar and bass fretboard diagrams, real-time playback, root note drones, and modal visualization. Explore Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian directly in the browser while developing improvisation, ear training, and modal harmony skills.

Select Instrument

Choose the instrument tuning used in the fretboard visualization.

Root Note

Select a tonal center and explore modal colors.

C Ionian

Major sound

Detail
Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Pattern: T T ST T T T ST
C • D • E • F • G • A • B
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
E
F
G
A
B
C
D

C Dorian

Minor with natural 6

Detail
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Pattern: T ST T T T ST T
C • D • Eb • F • G • A • Bb
F
G
A
Bb
C
D
Eb
C
D
Eb
F
G
A
Bb
G
A
Bb
C
D
Eb
F
D
Eb
F
G
A
Bb
C
A
Bb
C
D
Eb
F
G
F
G
A
Bb
C
D
Eb

C Phrygian

Dark spanish sound

Detail
Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Pattern: ST T T T ST T T
C • C# • Eb • F • G • Ab • Bb
F
G
Ab
Bb
C
C#
Eb
C
C#
Eb
F
G
Ab
Bb
G
Ab
Bb
C
C#
Eb
F
Eb
F
G
Ab
Bb
C
C#
Bb
C
C#
Eb
F
G
Ab
F
G
Ab
Bb
C
C#
Eb

C Lydian

Dreamy major sound

Detail
Formula: 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
Pattern: T T T ST T T ST
C • D • E • F# • G • A • B
E
F#
G
A
B
C
D
B
C
D
E
F#
G
A
G
A
B
C
D
E
F#
D
E
F#
G
A
B
C
A
B
C
D
E
F#
G
E
F#
G
A
B
C
D

C Mixolydian

Dominant bluesy sound

Detail
Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Pattern: T T ST T T ST T
C • D • E • F • G • A • Bb
E
F
G
A
Bb
C
D
C
D
E
F
G
A
Bb
G
A
Bb
C
D
E
F
D
E
F
G
A
Bb
C
A
Bb
C
D
E
F
G
E
F
G
A
Bb
C
D

C Aeolian

Natural minor

Detail
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Pattern: T ST T T ST T T
C • D • Eb • F • G • Ab • Bb
F
G
Ab
Bb
C
D
Eb
C
D
Eb
F
G
Ab
Bb
G
Ab
Bb
C
D
Eb
F
D
Eb
F
G
Ab
Bb
C
Bb
C
D
Eb
F
G
Ab
F
G
Ab
Bb
C
D
Eb

C Locrian

Diminished unstable sound

Detail
Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Pattern: ST T T ST T T T
C • C# • Eb • F • F# • Ab • Bb
F
F#
Ab
Bb
C
C#
Eb
C
C#
Eb
F
F#
Ab
Bb
Ab
Bb
C
C#
Eb
F
F#
Eb
F
F#
Ab
Bb
C
C#
Bb
C
C#
Eb
F
F#
Ab
F
F#
Ab
Bb
C
C#
Eb

C Melodic Minor

Minor scale with major 6 and major 7

Detail
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Pattern: T ST T T T T ST
C • D • Eb • F • G • A • B
F
G
A
B
C
D
Eb
B
C
D
Eb
F
G
A
G
A
B
C
D
Eb
F
D
Eb
F
G
A
B
C
A
B
C
D
Eb
F
G
F
G
A
B
C
D
Eb

C Harmonic Minor

Dark minor sound with strong dominant tension

Detail
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Pattern: T ST T T ST T+ST ST
C • D • Eb • F • G • Ab • B
F
G
Ab
B
C
D
Eb
B
C
D
Eb
F
G
Ab
G
Ab
B
C
D
Eb
F
D
Eb
F
G
Ab
B
C
B
C
D
Eb
F
G
Ab
F
G
Ab
B
C
D
Eb

What Are Greek Modes?

Greek modes are musical scales derived from the major scale. Each mode has its own interval structure, emotional color, and harmonic identity. Modes are widely used in jazz, fusion, rock, blues, metal, film music, and improvisation.

Understanding Greek modes helps musicians connect scales, harmony, chords, fretboard visualization, and melodic phrasing.

Why Practice Modes on Guitar and Bass?

Practicing modes on the fretboard improves improvisation, ear training, melodic vocabulary, and harmonic awareness. Modal practice also helps musicians visualize intervals and connect scale sounds to real musical applications.

  • Improve modal improvisation
  • Understand interval relationships
  • Visualize scales across the fretboard
  • Develop melodic phrasing
  • Strengthen harmonic awareness

Common Greek Modes

Each mode creates a unique musical atmosphere and tension.

  • Ionian — bright major sound
  • Dorian — minor with natural 6
  • Phrygian — dark minor with flat 2
  • Lydian — dreamy major with sharp 4
  • Mixolydian — dominant bluesy sound
  • Aeolian — natural minor sound
  • Locrian — unstable diminished sound

How to Practice Greek Modes

Start by choosing a root note and listening to the drone while playing through each mode. Focus on hearing the emotional quality of the characteristic intervals.

Guitarists and bass players should practice connecting modal patterns horizontally across the fretboard instead of memorizing isolated box shapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mode for jazz improvisation?

Dorian and Mixolydian are among the most commonly used modes in jazz improvisation because they work naturally over minor and dominant chords.

Can beginners learn Greek modes?

Yes. Beginners can start by learning the sound and interval structure of each mode slowly with drones and fretboard visualization.

Why use a drone while practicing modes?

A drone reinforces the tonal center and helps musicians hear the modal color and interval tension more clearly.