Here’s a question. What’s the lowest possible non-open mode you can play on a standard 6-string guitar in the key of E major? Or Bb major? Or any other key? It turns out there’s a quick and simple way of figuring that out for any key. A couple of simple formulas, one for the sharp keys and one for the flat keys, is all it takes. And by non-open, I mean no notes played on open strings.
If you’re not sure what the sharp and flat keys are I recommend referring to the circle of fifths. You will also need to know the order of modes in the major scale:
- Ionian
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Aolean
- Locrean
Sharp keys
To figure out the lowest possible non-open mode for a sharp key follow this process:
- All sharp scales have an F# so the lowest fingering will start there (6th string, 2nd fret).
- Figure out what degree F# is for the chosen key.
- Based on the scale degree identify the mode.
For example, what’s the lowest non-open mode of A major?
- It’s a sharp scale so the lowest fingering will start on F#.
- F# is the 6th degree of A major (just count up from A to F# – 6 notes).
- The 6th mode of a major scale is Aeolian.
So, the lowest non-open fingering for A major is F# Aeolian.
Flat keys
To figure out the lowest possible non-open mode for a flat key follow this process:
- All flat scales have an F natural so the lowest fingering will start there (6th string, 1st fret).
- Figure out what degree F natural is for the chosen key.
- Based on the scale degree identify the mode.
For example, what’s the lowest non-open mode of Ab major?
- It’s a flat scale so the lowest fingering will include an F (6th string, 1st fret).
- F is the 6th degree of Ab major.
- The 6th mode of a major scale is Aeolian.
So, the lowest non-open fingering for Ab major is F Aeolian.