The 7 Modes of the Major scale

There are seven Major scale modes, one starting on each of the seven notes of the major scale.

A major scale played from the second note is called the Dorian mode. Therefore G major and A Dorian contain the same notes. If you compare G major with G Dorian you will see that the Dorian mode's 3rd and 7th notes are a semi-tone (1 fret) lower. This is often written as a formula: 1, 2, b3,4, 5, 6, b7.

If you do the same starting on each consecutive note of the major scale, you get a formula for each mode. These modes are named after Greek tribes.

Here are the names, formulas and fingerings for the Major scale modes
(transposed to G so you can hear the difference):

G Ionian (major)
1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6, 7
 G Dorian
1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7
 G Phrygian
1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
G Lydian
1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7
 G Mixolydian
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7
 G Aeolian (minor)
1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
G Locrian
1, b2, b3, 4, b5, b6, b7