Focus on the 2nd and 6th degrees of the minor modes as they are the ones that differ between each mode. The diminished mode of Locrian takes all our flat degrees from the Phrygian mode and adds a Diminished Fifth or b5. Each minor mode can be played over a minor triad or a m7 (minor seven) chord, and the Locrian mode can be played over a diminished triad or a m7b5 chord.
Keep in mind that you do not have to learn all of this at once. Learn one octave of one mode at a time. Guitarists can start on the 3rd string and find the first degree note and set each pattern to that one note. Pianists can focus on just one octave of keys along with the degrees that make each mode stand out, which will be the b2nd, 2nd, b6th, or 6th degrees.
Flattening the 5th degree of Phrygian will take you into Locrian, and flattening Locrian’s 1st degree will create Lydian. You can even go in reverse and sharpen degrees to access all of the modes.
Keep practicing your major modes as well and take your time with this. The goal is not to be able to go fast. The real goal is to be able to recall these patterns and degrees. The more you use the information that you’ve learned, the faster you will recall it. Before you know it, you’ll be able to play these modes over any jam track on the internet.
Now have fun! Until next time.
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