Modes of scales are not only fun to play, but add variety to the mood and feeling of music.
Modal scales are scales starting with different notes of in the same major scale. For example, playing the C major scale beginning and ending with D is called the Dorian mode. Playing the C major scale beginning and ending with E is called the Phrygian mode. Playing the C major scale beginning and ending with F is called the Lydian mode. Playing the C major scale beginning and ending with G is called the Myxolydian mode. Playing the C major scale beginning and ending with A is called the Aeolian mode. Playing the C major scale beginning and ending with B is called the Locrian mode. And playing the C major scale beginning and ending with C is called the Ionian mode.
The Ionian modal scale is the major scale. It begins with the first note of the major scale. All the modes of a major scale are played in the same key as the major scale. Therefore, because there are seven notes in a major scale, there are seven modes of the major scale. Notice that trying to begin with the other five possible notes in the chromatic scale is impossible because they are not included in the key signature of the major scale being played.
The Dorian mode of any major scale always begins and ends with the second note of the major scale. The Phrygian mode of any major scale always begins and ends with the third note of the major scale. The Lydian mode of any major scale always begins and ends with the fourth note of the major scale. The Myxolydian mode of any major scale always begins and ends with the fifth note of the major scale. The Aeolian mode of any major scale always begins and ends with the sixth note of the major scale. And the Locrian mode of any major scale always begins and ends with the seventh note of the major scale. All modes are played in the major scale key signature.
Not only are there seven modal scales in each key signature of a major scale, but there are seven modal scales for each note. Every note (A, Ab, B, Bb, C, D, Db, etc.) in every major scale is the first note of seven different modes. For example, C is the first note of the C Ionian scale. C is the second note of the Bb Dorian scale. C is the third note of the Ab Phrygian scale. C is the fourth note of the G Lydian scale. C is the fifth note of the F Mixolydian scale. C is the sixth note of the Eb Aeolian scale. And C is the seventh note of the Db Locrian scale.
Because every note has an interval (degree) relationship with the root (first note, Ionian) of a major scale, the mode of a note can be calculated by the number of flats in the scale. For example, the C major scale is C Ionian. D is the first note of the D Dorian scale (DEFGABC), which is the Dorian mode of the C major scale. This mode is the same as the D major scale (DEF#GABC#) with the third and seventh notes flatted (DEFGABC). Every Dorian mode is a major scale with the third and seventh notes flatted. The Dorian mode for the F major scale begins with G because it is the second note in the F major scale. And because G major has one sharp, the G Dorian scale beginning with G will be the G major scale with one flat. B (third note of the G major scale) is flat and the seventh note F# is naturalized. So, after applying the rule of flatting the third and seventh notes of major scale, the result is the Dorian mode.
The modes of a major scale can be arranged by their key signatures. This is how the notes are flatted or sharped by their position in the major scales.
Lydian #4
Ionian 0
Mixolydian b7
Dorian b7, b3
Aeloian b7, b3, b6
Phyrgian b7, b3, b6, b2
Locrian b7, b3, b6, b2, b5
The Aoelian mode is a major scale with the 7th, 3rd, and 6th notes flatted. Thus, ‘E’ Aeolian (4 sharps in E major) is played in the key signature of G (4 sharps – 3 flats = 1 sharp). F Aeolian is played in the key signature of Ab (1 flat + 3 flats = 4 flats). Eb Dorian is played in the key signature of Gb (3 flats + 3 flats = 6 flats). E Dorian is played in the key signature of G (4 sharps – 3 flats = 1 sharp). B Locrian is played in the key of C (5 sharps – 5 flats = 0).
The number of flats in a scale determines the mood and feeling of its sound. Lydian is the brightest, upbeat sound, and Locrian is the darkest brooding sound. Dorian is in the middle. Thus, the choice of mode to play in is a choice of mood to create in music.
Practice playing the seven modes of each major scale, and then practice the seven modes of each note in the chromatic scale.
Insight:
The Aeolian mode is the relative minor (also called the natural minor) of a major scale. So, if you know the Aeolian mode of a scale, you know the natural minor of that scale. And if you already know a natural minor scale, you know the Aeolian mode of major scale.
