When Ionian met aeolian
each [KEY] containing 12 notes in sequence from [KEY-note]< to >[KEY-note]repeat
played on 12 sequential frets on the guitar fretboard, repeating every 12 frets.

| C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | Bb | B | C |

Playing all 12 notes upwards as an ascending scale and then back down very soon became very boring, monotonous to the ear, and clearly lacked any Major sense of style or uniqueness from one [KEY] to another.

As a solution to the Major dilemma Ionian put forth the concept of introducing style not by adding something to an already-full scale of notes as much as by eliminating or skipping some of the 12 notes along the way when playing from [KEY-note]< to >[KEY-note]repeat.

Over a certain period of time and after innumerable combinations & variations Ionian noted one day while playing the [KEY] of C that when skipping all but the natural notes (natural notes are those with no sharp and no flat) the remaining sequence of notes renders a cheerful spritely Progression that includes 7 notes.

Ionian soon determined that the [KEY-note]repeated would become the 8th note or octave.

| C | - | D | - | E | F | - | G | - | A | - | B | C |
| 1 | - | 2 | - | 2 | 1 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | 1 |

The sequence, this Major Progression, starting with the 1st note, from [KEY-note]< to >[KEY-note]repeat can be played on one string or at one position using multiple strings. Fashionably playing at the first position using all 6 strings, Ionian rationalized, would be known as the Ionian mode.

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