Let's begin with the major scale or Ionian mode. The major scale can be thought of as the "parent" scale of the modes. It is made from a series of whole steps (which equal 2 frets) and half steps (1 fret).

To build a major scale you will always follow this formula of steps.

W - W - H - W - W - W - H

Whatever note you start on, as long as you are following this formula, will be the name of the major scale. For example, start on C, move up a whole step to D, another whole step to E, a half step to F, a whole step to G, another whole step to A, another whole step to B and finally a half step to C. This is a C major scale. If you start on A and follow the same formula you will get  A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A, which is an A major scale. Starting on a F will give you a F major scale, and Eb will give you an Eb major scale just as long as you follow the formula. The picture below has four different ways of playing a major scale.

Click this thumbnail to see the full pic.

Knowing different patterns will help you to get from one position to another easier. One pattern may set you up on a certain finger so you can reach your next note with the least amount of difficulty.

I like to think of these as finger patterns rather than the names of the notes or the numbers in tab. The first pattern can be thought of as (keeping one finger per fret spacing) 2nd finger, 4th finger, move to the next string, 1st, 2nd, 4th finger, move to the next string, 1st, 3rd and 4th finger of your fretting hand. This makes it very easy to play every major scale. You are simply starting on a different note but using the same fingering pattern!

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Time to check out the rest of the modal scales. Remember the major or Ionian scale is the "parent" scale, which means all of the modes are taken from the major scale. Here's an example.

As you can see, all the notes in the modal scales are taken from the major scale. Also, if you look down the mode names you'll notice the same seven notes from the major scale. In other words, each mode is built off of a major scale note. The major or Ionian is the first scale and is built off the first note of the major scale. The Lydian is the fourth scale and is built off the fourth note of the major scale. The modes are always in the same order so once you learn them in one key it will be the same for all the others.

Click this thumbnail to see the full pic.

These are the scale formulas for the modes.

The numbers represent the scale degrees. The first scale is the first note, the third scale degree is the third note, etc. The sharps and flats shown in this example display what changes to the Major scale must be done to create the other 6 modal scales. Remember, the Major scale is the parent of the modal scales (which are alterations of the Major scale). For example, raise the 4th degree of the Major scale to get the Lydian or lower the 7th degree of the Major scale to get the Mixolydian.

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These modal scales are always relative to each other no matter what key you are playing in. For example: the Major or Ionian will always be first in the series of modes, the Mixolydian will always be fifth, etc.

Each mode will spell out a triad and a 7th chord.

Ionian will always spell out a major triad and a major 7 chord.

Dorian will always spell out a minor triad and a minor 7 chord.

Phrygian will always spell out a minor triad and a minor 7 chord.

Lydian will always spell out a major triad and a major 7 chord.

Mixolydian will always spell out a major triad and a dominant 7 chord.

Aeolian will always spell out a minor triad and a minor 7 chord.

Locrian will always spell out a diminished triad and a minor 7 b5 or half diminished chord.

I'll write more about the construction of arpeggios soon.
If you have any questions, feel free to me!

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