You Probably Don't Need Modes

The Key Word is 'Probably'

This is a controversial topic. The reason for that is because modes are commonly misunderstood.

The common misconception is that modes are "patterns" on the fretboard. This is not true. Modes are NOT patterns on the fretboard. These "patterns" that people are mistaking for modes are actually just the diatonic scale patterns.

If these "patterns" are what you are after, then the places to look on Zombie Guitar are:

1.) The "Soloing With Scales" section of the In-Depth Lesson Portal
2.) Soloing Fundamentals Course #4 - The Diatonic Scale

The other common misconception is that you need modes to solo over chord changes. Again, modes really isn't what you are looking for here. What you are looking for is chord tone targeting. 

The places to learn all about chord tone targeting here on Zombie Guitar are:

1.) The "Chord Tone Targeting" section of the In-Depth Lesson Portal
2.) Soloing Fundamentals Course #5 - Chord Tone Targeting

Modes definitely do have their place, but I have found that the majority of people simply need to focus on the diatonic scale patterns and chord tone targeting. Those 2 things will cover 95% of your soloing needs. Add to that a basic understanding of how chords fit together in a key, and you know everything that you need to be a pro. Many people mistakenly think that modes are what they are looking for. This is all due to this ever-so-common misunderstanding of modes.

So Who Actually Does Need Modes?

Here in the modes section of the In-Depth Lesson Portal, there is a lesson called How to Actually Use Modes in Your Playing - 4 Examples. Check that lesson out for 4 specific examples.

To keep this short, if you are looking to do one of the following, then modes would be what you are looking for:

1.) Different Sounds - You are looking to achieve different sounds other than basic major and minor, which is what most of the songs that you hear on the radio are in. Some songs are written in modes other than the common "major key" (aka. the Ionian mode) and the common "minor key" (aka. the Aeolian mode). An example is Oye Como Va by Carlos Santa. That song is in Dorian. Music that is written in other modes is not extremely uncommon. However, this is a specific case scenario. Are you looking to achieve these different sounds in your own playing? Then modes are for you.

2.) Complex Chord Progressions - Once you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals (aka. key-based music)...You know how chords fit together within a key. You know how to solo in any major or minor key, up and down the fretboard. You are proficient in chord tone targeting. In other words, you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals....At that point, you may find yourself going down the rabbit hole of jazz. In jazz, you move beyond playing key-based music (which is pretty much everything that you hear on the radio). The chord progressions are much more complex, and for that reason you will usually be switching scales over every single chord (which is usually unnecessary in key-based music). In this advanced case, you will be using modes very often. Specific examples of this can be found in that How to Actually Use Modes in Your Playing - 4 Examples lesson here in the modes section of the In-Depth Lesson Portal.

Aside from the above 2 scenarios, you probably don't need to be worrying about modes!

Clarifying Your Focus

There are a lot of different concepts that are taught here on Zombie Guitar. It is easy to get information overload. Add to that all of the misinformation on the internet surrounding the topic of modes. It is very easy to incorrectly assume that your focus needs to be directed towards modes. The purpose of this post is just to help clarify that for you. I hope that it did.

Have fun!