A mode that isn’t Ionian (major) or Aeolian (minor) is defined by the characteristic scale degrees that set it apart from the mode it is based on and similar modes. Some examples:
- Major-like:
- Lydian: ♮3, ♯4, ♮7
- Lydian Dominant: ♮3, ♯4, ♭7
- Mixolydian: ♮3, ♮6, ♭7
- Minor-like:
- Dorian: ♭3, ♮6, ♭7
- Phrygian: ♭2, ♭3
- Phrygian Dominant: ♭2, ♮3
- Harmonic Minor: ♭3, ♭6, ♮7
- Melodic Minor: ♭3, ♮6, ♮7
- Locrian: ♭2, ♭3, ♭5
If a tab keeps using notes from a mode even when those notes do not appear in the chords (e.g. always using ♮6 over i chords), then the tab can be assumed to be in that mode; Major and Minor are the modes to use only when no other modes are implied (which however encompass a large portion of music).