Ionian Mode Guitar Scales

The Ionian Mode Guitar Scale

You are probably already familiar with the Ionian Mode, but may not recognize the name. The Ionian Mode is what we commonly refer to as our Major Scale.

Construction

The pattern of whole and half steps in the Ionian Scale is as follows:

W W H W W W H

If you were to start on any note and follow this pattern of whole and half steps, you would create the Ionian or Major scale named after the starting note.

EXAMPLES

C D E F G A B C

G A B C D E F# G

D E F# G A B C# D

Using the Ionian Scale Mode

You can use the Ionian or Major scale over any chord progression which is in a major key. Use the scale with the same name as the key of the song.

If you need to review the subject of chord progressions, here is a link to a free lesson on this site. The link opens in a new window. Chord Progressions

Free Printable Scale Charts

These scale charts are in the formats of traditional notation AND guitar tablature. They are pdf files so you will need the free Adobe reader to view and print them. You can download the reader free from the Adobe website. Please remember to expand the viewer to 100%.

Each file has charts for 4 different keys. I trust that the charts will be useful to you. Have fun!

Ionian Mode: Keys of C G D and A

Ionian Mode: Keys of E B F# and C#

Ionian Mode: Keys of Ab Eb Bb and F

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