Modes?? Please help.

[heywhatcanido]

Hey everyone,
I've been playing bass for about 4 or 5 years. I would say I'm pretty decent at some things. I can figure out pretty much anything by ear, I'm very good at slapping, tapping, and of course fingerstyle, but there is one problem. I've never bothered to learn any theory as I am self taught and I didn't think I could teach myself theory. I hear a lot about modes and how important they are in jamming/improving and what not. Everytime I try to go to a website to learn some modes I usually end up getting confused. I was just hoping maybe someone on these forums knew of a website that could help teach me modes in a simple way. If anyone knows any sites like this I would appreciate it greatly.

Thanks guys (oh, and sorry if this post doesn't belong here),
Greg

[paintballjunkie]

You can get the book "Bass Fretboard Basics". It's a great book for getting started on theory.

If you play a C major scale from C to C, your playing the first mode, Ionian. Playing the C major scale from D to D is the second mode, Dorian
E to E is Phrygian
F to F is Lydian
G to G is Mixolydian
A to A is Aeolian(same as natural minor)
B to B is Locrian

That was just the basics. Certain modes go with certain chord types.

[barthanatos]

Search.

[Richard Lindsey]

Yes. And in the General Instruction forum rather than this one. Not to be harsh, but there will be a lot more theory info there than there is here.

[dave_p]

1w2w3h4w5w6w7h8(1) = major scale w= whole step h = half step

1 is the starting tone (dont worry about key right now, pick any note)
count and play the steps(half or whole) end at 8(1) the octave
all you have to do is remember that the half steps are always between
3 and 4 & 7 and 8 that is the ionian mode or major scale

if you pick any note and start counting at 2 and end at 2 and keep the half steps bteween 3&4, 7&8 you have played a dorian scale, the second mode.
likewise:
3 to 3 = phrygian
4 to 4 = lydian
5 to 5 = myxolydian
6 to 6 = aeolian
7 to 7 = locrian