The 7 diatonic modes for electric guitar include:

Ionian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolean
Locrian

All Greek names. Don't let it confuse you though!

The concept is simple. You're playing the same notes of the major scale starting from a different note in the set. That's really all there is to it.

I think guitarists like to pretend modes are more than what they actually are. They're just the same intervals as the diatonic scale, just starting from a different interval.

Let's take the C scale.

C D E F G A B

Starting from...

C we get C Ionian (or also known as the C Major Scale)

D we get D Dorian

E we get E Phrygian

F we get F Lydian

G we get G Mixolydian

A we get A Aeolean (or also known as the A Minor Scale)

B we get B Locrian

Not actually that hard to understand after all right?

Playing modes on your electric guitar is as simple as that. Just start your major scale from different notes.

Now, there are 7 different scale shapes you can use to play all over the neck of your guitar... which correspond to the 7 modes.

For now, though, just imprint the concept of modes into your mind!

If you want to play your major pentatonic on your guitar, then this is all you do.

No doubt you know your minor pentatonic scale. Probably in Am. This is the first scale taught by tons of teachers.

To play your major pentatonic, simply start on the second note of your minor pentatonic. For example, play your Am pent... starting from the second note, C.

Instead of A, C, D, E, G... You play C, D, E, G, A. Same notes from a different starting point.

Nothing more to say! Except if you learn all 5 modes of the pentatonic scale, then you can learn major pentatonic on guitar in its proper position.

If you want blazing speed on your guitar, then listen up!

There's only one way to do it... Hardnosed, grueling work at least practicing 8 hours per day.

That's a joke of course! If you want to sacrifice all your time you could be spending with loved ones and friends or doing something else, then that's all you.

Getting quick fingers on guitar doesn't take all that much. I could set my electric aside for months, then pick it up and rip fast runs and solos.

Because the type of quickness you get isn't the type the progressive rockers or jazzers are using. In those cases, yeah, you pretty much have to be a hermit guitarist to achieve any level of skill.

Trust me... There were only a couple talented guitarists in this world. One is Jason Becker and the other was Jimi Hendrix. For the rest of us, it's just a matter of being enthusiastic and inspired enough to get fast!

Well, that and having the right teachings at your fingertips. That's really all it takes.

A long time ago I didn't think I'd ever be able to play near as fast as Joe Satriani. I was wrong!

You're wrong too. You'll get there if you go the right path!