Originally Posted by: CSchlegelIf you want to know how to get from pentatonics to modes, then I suggest you look more closely at this tutorial:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=770

In that tutorial I show how to use the first pentatonic box as a visual tool to see & play all seven diatonic modes. For example, here for lydian:

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=13430&s_id=770

Then, in the next lesson I play the patterns along with a backing track to give a practical example of how each visual pattern sounds & how stereotypical licks will sound.

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=13431&s_id=770

This is done for all seven modes, and then they are directly compared & contrasted later.

Please have a look at these threads:

http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29979
http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30690

Assuming the key of D major:

D - I chord
G - IV chord
A - V chord

The modes of D major are based on the notes of the D major scale:

D ionian
E dorian
F# phrygian
G lydian
A mixolydian
B aeolian
C# locrian

So, if your music is only D (I) - G (IV) - A (V), then you can play the G lyidan mode over all of it & stress the chord tone of the current chord. Or you can think of playing the D ionian mode while the D chord is happening, the G lydian mode while the G chord is happening, then the A mixolydian mode over the A chord.

You can also play the E dorian mode, or the B aeolian mode, and so on. All of this simply means you are in the key of D major, of course.

You can also use modes in an ornamental manner. This means, regardless of the actual key you play what mode you happen to desire the sound of at that point in the music.

So if you play D lydian over your D (I) - G (IV) - A (V) progression, you will be playing:

D - E - F# - G# - A - B - C#

Notice that G# is not in the key of D major, and will therefore create a certain, specific dissonance. Especially when the G chord sounds.

How does one know when to use a mode in an ornamental manner? A manner that "goes against" the key, instead of being part of the key? Only by practicing them, becoming familiar with their sounds & fretboard patterns, in order to play the mode that you desire, when you desire "that specific" sound. And that is another place that my modes tutorials will be of assistance.

Make sense?

Chris:
Thanks for helping with the practical aspect of it - Your example shows that both myself and the original poster were actually both right but looking at it from the 2 different uses. In your first example, playing the A mixolodian mode over a song in D major, I understand it is the mixolodian mode but in my mind, I just equate it to D major, just starting at a different, non D root (In this case).
The ornamental use(which is the way I look at modes of being of value) is a bit more complex and how the lead guitar part will have its own distinct sound since we are including some notes that are not part of the major scale.

So now I can spend the year or so trying to master this.

as always, I appreciate your help.