Major Scale Modes - Ionian - Diatonic Substitutions - Mode 1

The Ionian mode (major scale) is one the most commonly used modes.

Our ears like this sound. First lets see the major scale and create all possible diatonic chord. In other words lets see how many chords we get from just using the notes within the major scale.

It takes two octaves to create all possible diatonic chords.

Numbers are given to each scale position. 

Since all scales are in relation to the Major Scale it is necessary to memorize the following. 

 

C major note names =     C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D,  E,  F,  G,  A,  B,  C

C major scale numbers = 1,  2, 3, 4, 5, 6,  7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13,14, 15

Notice that 2/9, 4/11, 6/13 are the same notes. They are the same thing.

Get use to them being referred to both ways. This one number system applies to all keys!

 

Now lets take every other note in a group of three, four, five, six, and seven notes.

 

3 notes = C, E, G,                = C major

4 notes = C, E, G, B             = C major seventh 

5 notes = C, E, G, B, D         = C major ninth

6 notes = C, E, G, B, D, F     = C major eleventh

7 notes = C, E, G, B, D, F, A = C major thirteenth

 

Other common major chords:

(Major also written as Maj or triangle)

 

C maj 6th                          = C, E, G, A

C maj add 9th                   = C, E, G, D

C maj 6/9                          = C, E, G, A, D

C maj 7/6                          = C, E, G, B, A

 

C sus                                = C, F, G

C sus 2                             = C, D, G

C maj sus 2/7                   = C, D, G, B

 

So here is your assignment that you will do with all keys using the Ionian Mode.

Ionian chord progression key of C major:

 

Original progression     - C //// Am //// Dm //// G ////

Now with sub chords   - Csus4 //// Am7 //// Dm7 //// G7 ////

 

You can use any of the 4 note chords to replace the 3 note chords.

You can use any of the C major chords in previous lesson to sub for the I of the C Ionian Scale.

 

I will expand on this in greater detail later but for now go back to all the Ionian chord progressions previously given (Fun with Major Scale Modes - Ionian - Mode 1) and sub the 4 note chords for the 3 note chords and use any of the C major chords in this lesson to sub for the I of the C Ionian Scale. I will expand on this in greater detail later but for now go back to all the Ioniam chord progressions previously given (Fun with Major Scale Modes - Ionian - Mode 1) and sub the 4 note chords for the 3 note chords and sub the I chord with the new ! chords from this lesson.

You can also sub any of the chords already covered, example C major becomes Cmaj6.

Also take these chord formulas and a note name chart and start to create these chords in all possible octaves and positions. When creating chords on the guitar the root, fifth or seventh are often omitted because of just having six strings. 

You can use all notes when multi-tracking.

Now take these chord formulas and the note name chart and start to create these chords in all possible octaves and positions. When creating chords on the guitar the root, fifth or seventh are often omitted because of just having six strings.