Modes

[lostrebel]

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~desmith/guitar/scales/major/key.htm

Am i to understand that the modes are just little sections of the major and minor scales? When someone says they are playing in the A mixolydian, what does that mean? Are they playing the A minor scale? or have they shifted the minor scale up? This may not make sence becuase I am very confused

 

[BBD]

modes are confusing cause they are so easy. Modes are scales that are built off other scales, using the same notes in a new order
major=ionian mode using C as our example CDEFGABC
dorian mode is built off the second note of the major scale D
D dorian = DEFGABCD see how it's the same notes as C just starting on D
the 3rd mode is phrygian , built off the 3rd note E phrygian = EFGABCE
4th mode=lydian f lydian is FGABCDEF

5th mode is mixolydian GABCDEFG

6th= aelian ABCDEFGA

7th is locrian FGABCDEF
now compare these modes to the same tonic major scale and see how they differ

A mixolydian =ABC#DEF#G , use over A7 chord