Modes.

Dogman3

I'm having trouble understanding the modes of scales, such as Mixlydian or Phrygian, ect. Are they used for soloing? How helpful are they for lead? How do I know what mode to use for what progression or chords?

ianvomsaal

Dogman3 wrote:

Are they used for soloing?

YES

Dogman3 wrote:

How helpful are they for lead?

VERY

ianvomsaal

Dogman3 wrote:

How do I know what mode to use for what progression or chords?

I was attempting to be aloof, but it just doesn’t seem like I’m going to be able to do that.

Okay, you need to know what KEY you're in order to know what to play.
Sounds like you need lessons from a qualified Instructor with a background in Music Theory.
I recommend someone with a Music Degree, not your run of the mill music store goon.
Here, I created this for my students: click here: MODES.
The # next to each mode represents each scale degree it correlates with.
An example of the C-Major scale is C-D-E-F-G-A-B (the key of C-Major has no sharps or flats).
So, you'd play: C-Ionian, D-Dorian, E-Phrygian, F-Lydian, G-Mixolydian, A-Aeolian, B-Locrian.
A key like A-Major has 3-sharps in it (F,C,G).
So the A-Major scale is: A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G# - thus you play C#-Phrygian, F#-Aeolian, G#-Locrian
along with the other modes in place (A-Ionian, B-Dorian, D-Lydian, E-Mixolydian).
Cheers - get yourself a good qualified instructor . . .

- Ian C.T. vom Saal