Guitar Intervals C Major, A Minor, & Related Modes

Name: Guitar Intervals C Major, A Minor, & Related Modes
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A Structured Approach to Navigating the Fretboard Using the G-Shaped C Major Position

Created byRobert (Bob) Steele

Last updated 3/2025

English

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What you'll learn

Identify and recall the C Major scale intervals (Major 2nd, Major 3rd, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, Major 6th, Major 7th) across all strings.
Recognize the CAGED system's G-shaped C Major position and its role in scale navigation.
Explain the relationship between the C Major scale and its modes, including how shifting the tonic alters the modal structure.
Describe the impact of B-string tuning differences on interval shapes and positioning.
Demonstrate the ability to locate and measure intervals on every string using C Major and its modal centers (D Dorian, E Phrygian, etc.).
Use an Excel fretboard diagram to visualize and reinforce interval and mode relationships.
Compare and contrast the intervallic differences between C Major, D Dorian, and E Phrygian to understand modal construction.
Differentiate how intervals are mapped when shifting the tonic within the same note set.
Assess personal understanding of modal relationships and identify weak points in interval recognition.
Critique and adjust finger positioning strategies for efficient fretboard navigation.
Develop personal practice routines using the Excel fretboard tool to reinforce understanding of modes and intervals.

Course content

14 sections • 39 lectures • 33h 4m total length

1010 C Major top string part 139:33
Master guitar intervals in the key of C major and related modes using movable shapes on the top string, focusing on Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, and A minor.
1015 C Major Top String Part 242:12
Explore guitar intervals in the C major scale and related modes like A minor, focusing on the top string and movable fretboard shapes, including counting semitones and interval inverses.

1020 D Dorian Second String Down Part 134:56
Explore guitar intervals in C major, A minor, and related modes, focusing on the D Dorian pivot. Practice shape-based intervals, inversions, and octave relationships across strings to reinforce Dorian sound.
1025 D Dorian Second String Down Part 246:36
Explore d dorian intervals around the d root on the second string, linking c major and a minor. Learn interval patterns, inverses, and how shapes shift with roots.

1030 E Phrygian Second String Down Part 140:01
Explore guitar intervals in C major and related modes (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian) with E Phrygian as the pivot from the second string down, aligning shapes and interval patterns.
1040 F Lydian Second String Down Part 133:28
Study guitar intervals in C major, A minor and related modes with a focus on the F Lydian pivot at eighth fret of the second string, using shape-based interval theory.
1035 E Phrygian Second String Down Part 253:40
Explore guitar intervals in C major and A minor through E Phrygian, pivoting around the E note on the second string, and practice modal shapes and interval relationships.

1055 G Mixolydian Third String Down Fret 5 Part 137:14
Explore guitar intervals in G Mixolydian mode, focusing on G at the fifth fret third string, linking major-scale concepts, related modes, and movable interval shapes for bluesy chords.
1060 G Mixolydian Third String Down Fret 5 Part 237:14
Explore G Mixolydian within the C major and A minor framework, analyzing intervals around the G note on the fifth fret, third string, and connecting major-scale shapes to related modes.
1065 G Mixolydian Third String Down Fret 5 Part 354:54
Practice G Mixolydian within the C major and A minor framework, using scale shapes, intervals, and related modes to build chords and intuition on the fretboard.

1070 A Minor Or Aeolian Third String Down Fret 7 Part 137:47
Explore A minor (Aeolian) scale and its relation to the C major scale by learning interval patterns, scale shapes, and how to map related modes across the fretboard.
1075 A Minor Or Aeolian Third String Down Fret 7 Part 239:59
Explore the A minor Aeolian and C major scales, study interval shapes across the fretboard, and compare Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, and Locrian modes for chord-building insights.
1080 A Minor Or Aeolian Third String Down Fret 7 Part 346:43
Explore the a minor aeolian scale around the a note on the third string down, fret seven, and relate it to C major Ionian and related modes across the neck.

1085 B Locrian 4th String Down Fret 4 Part 146:09
Explore B Locrian intervals on the fourth string fret four, linking Locrian to major and minor modes, and learn modal constructions for building chords across the fretboard.
1090 B Locrian 4th String Down Fret 4 Part 246:04
Explore the B Locrian mode on guitar, focusing on the fourth string down fret 4, part 2, and build chords from intervals rooted in C major and A minor.
1095 B Locrian 4th String Down Fret 4 Part 358:08
Explore the B Locrian mode on the guitar at the 4th fret, analyze intervals around a B note, and relate Locrian to major scale shapes for chord construction.

1100 C Major Scale Ionian Mode 4th String Down Fret 5 Part 137:55
Explore guitar intervals within the C major scale (Ionian mode), centered on the C note on the fourth string fret 5, and connect major and minor chords across modes.
1105 C Major Scale Ionian Mode 4th String Down Fret 5 Part 247:36
Explore the C major Ionian scale around the fourth-string fret five to master guitar intervals and related modes, using open-position and caged-system shapes across the fretboard.
1110 C Major Scale Ionian Mode 4th String Down Fret 5 Part 355:30
Explore C major Ionian intervals and modes on the guitar, centering on the C note at the fourth string fifth fret, and learn interval-based chord shapes with the Caged system.

1115 D Dorian Mode 4th String Down Fret 7 Part 143:07
Explore the D Dorian mode within the C major–A minor framework, centering on the D note on the fourth string fret seven. Compare its intervals to the Ionian major scale.
1120 D Dorian Mode 4th String Down Fret 7 Part 239:45
Explore the D Dorian mode centered on D at the fourth string fret seven, within C major and related modes, using the Caged system to visualize shapes and chords.
1125 D Dorian Mode 4th String Down Fret 7 Part 358:29
Explore D Dorian mode from the D note on the fourth string at fret seven, using the major scale and related modes to navigate the fretboard and inform chord construction.

1130 E Phrygian Mode 5th String Down Fret 5 Part 152:49
Explores the E Phrygian mode on guitar, using the fifth-string fret five as reference, and explains modal shapes, chord construction, and interval-based approaches within C major and A minor.
1135 E Phrygian Mode 5th String Down Fret 5 Part 242:06
Explore E Phrygian mode and bar interval patterns around the fifth string, fret five, building Phrygian shapes and interval logic from C major and A minor.
1140 E Phrygian Mode 5th String Down Fret 5 Part 355:00
Explore the e phrygian mode on the guitar, measured from the fifth-string e at fret 5. Relate phrygian to c major and modes to visualize intervals and chord construction.

Requirements

Basic Guitar Proficiency – Students should be comfortable fretting notes, picking/strumming, and navigating the fretboard at a fundamental level.
Familiarity with Standard Tuning – Understanding that the guitar strings are tuned E-A-D-G-B-E and how tuning affects note placement.
Basic Understanding of the C Major Scale – Students should have some familiarity with scale construction and major scale patterns on the guitar.
Some Knowledge of Intervals – A basic awareness of musical intervals (e.g., major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 5th) will be helpful but will also be reviewed in the course.
Interest in Fretboard Navigation & Theory – The course is designed for guitarists looking to deepen their understanding of intervals, modes, and fretboard organization rather than just learning songs by rote.

Description

In this course, we will explore the intervals within the Major scale and its related modes using a structured approach designed to enhance your understanding of interval relationships, mode construction, and fretboard navigation.

We will focus on the G-shaped C Major position (from the CAGED system), sometimes called position one as our reference. Starting with the C note on the 8th fret of the top string, we will systematically identify each interval within the C Major scale across all strings. This method involves locating the major 2nd, major 3rd, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, Major 6th, & major 7th intervals on each string before moving to a new root note, such as the D note located on the 5th fret of the second string. We will measure each interval related to the D Dorian mode, all the notes being the same but the tonic changing from C to D and there for the intervals changing to those of a Dorian Mode. We will then repeat this process for the next note, an E note, resulting in E Phrygian mode.

By repeating this process of shifting the tonic focus while using the same notes, we will:

Develop a deeper familiarity with interval shapes across the fretboard.
Strengthen our understanding of the modal relationships.
Recognize intervallic differences between modes.
Adapt to the B string tuning difference when mapping interval structures and shapes.

To aid visualization, we will utilize a custom Excel worksheet that simulates the fretboard. The low (heavy) string will be displayed on top, ensuring the diagram aligns with your playing perspective. Additionally, to maintain orientation consistency, instructional materials will be mirrored to match the player's viewpoint.

This structured approach will solidify your fretboard knowledge, making it easier to apply scales, intervals, and modes confidently in your playing. Whether you are new to intervals & modes or looking to deepen your understanding, this course provides a practical and methodical pathway to mastering the Major scale and its related modes on the guitar.

Who this course is for:

Players looking to deepen their understanding of scale intervals and modal relationships.
Guitarists who want to improve their ability to visualize and navigate the fretboard more effectively.
Musicians who already know basic scales but want to understand their intervallic structure and application.
Players who have learned basic scale patterns (such as the C Major scale) and want to explore interval-based fretboard mapping.
Guitarists with some experience with the CAGED system who want to apply it to modes.
Musicians who want to enhance their soloing and improvisation skills by understanding how intervals and modes interact.
Players seeking to develop better phrasing and note choice based on intervallic awareness.
Guitarists interested in expanding their theoretical knowledge through hands-on fretboard practice.
Players who have been learning on their own and want a structured approach to understanding intervals and modes.
Guitarists who struggle with visualizing notes and intervals across the entire fretboard.
Teachers looking for new methods to explain intervals and modal relationships to their students.
Instructors seeking a systematic approach to teaching intervallic relationships on the guitar.

Guitar Intervals C Major, A Minor, & Related Modes

What you'll learn

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Course content

C Major - C Note Top String 8th Fret2 lectures • 1hr 22min

D Dorian - D Note Second String Down 8th Fret Part2 lectures • 1hr 22min

E Phrygian E Note Second String Down 7th Fret3 lectures • 2hr 7min

F Lydian: F Note Second String Down 8th Fret2 lectures • 1hr 22min

G Mixolydian: G Note Third String Down Fret 53 lectures • 2hr 9min

A Minor Or Aeolian Third String Down Fret 73 lectures • 2hr 4min

B Locrian 4th String Down Fret 43 lectures • 2hr 30min

C Major Scale Ionian Mode 4th String Down Fret 53 lectures • 2hr 21min

D Dorian Mode 4th String Down Fret 73 lectures • 2hr 21min

E Phrygian Mode 5th String Down Fret 53 lectures • 2hr 30min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: