yeah i know that site well. and i know my modes. i just don't think i know how to use them properly. if anyone here has a clear idea of how to use modes and what they are for, i'd appreciate an explanation
This is where chord scales come in. A simplified explanation....
If you look at your modes....
1. Ionian - root is the 1st
2. Dorian - root is the 2nd
3. Phrygian - root is the 3rd
4. Lydian - root is the 4th
5. Mixolydian - root is the 5th
6. Aeolian - root is the 6th
7. Locrian - root is the 7th
I guess you know that though...but..
A lot of it is about what a chord progression resolves to.
If it resolves to I...Ionian
If it resolves to II...Dorian
If it resolves to iii...Phrygian
If it resolves to IV...Lydian
If it resolves to V...Mixolydian
If it resolves to vi...Aeolian
If it resolves to VII...Locrian....however VII is hard to resolve to.
You see the connection...
I - 1st mode
II - 2nd mode
iii - 3rd mode
IV - 4th mode
V -5th mode
vi - 6th mode
VII - 7th mode
At least that's my understanding of it anyway. The last part of the modes section in the link I posted 'Application' explains it better.
However, I'm no expert...I don't play a lot of solos, and in my own music they aren't improvised by the time I record them. I tend to jam on whatever I'm trying to solo over until I come up with a solo that really works. I generally switch around the harmonic minor and minor pentatonic scales, and dorian mode. I mostly play metal, and it seems to wok for me.