Scale Modes

"Scale Modes"
7 Inversions Just to Get Another Sound

The modes seem to be one of the hardest things to comperend by the music students.

They really are just inversions of the major scale which start on the next note in the scale and play all the same notes.

What happens is that the intervals change form major to minor all over the place. This seems to the most confusing part of learning the modes.

Modes date back to the ancient Greeks where four of the modes were forumlated. This is where the names came from that identify them.

Later the medieval church expanded the modes and were called church modes. Modes were used before scales and the major and minor scales were actually based on two of the scale modes, Ionian and Aeolian.

We will take a loot at those as we work through the modes.

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Describing Scale Modes in Their Simplist Pattern

The absolute quickest way to see the modes is through the visual look at this keyboard.

Consider the first scale C major. C to C. That is the first mode. All the white notes are played between the two Cs. Each would be given a number 1 through 8 for the notes.

The Intervals and Notes for 1st mode
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 1
C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

Each successive mode is played on the next note in the scale. The next mode would be played 2 to 2. As you can see we use the same notes but simply start on the 2nd note. This is known as the Dorian Scale.

The mode Intervals and Notes
2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 1 - 2
D - E - F - G - A - B - C - D

and the actual interval for the steps
1 - 2 - m3- 4 - 5 - 6 - m7- 8

Each mode is constructed in this pattern of starting on the next note of the major scale.

Now there are two ways to look at this first example.

1. it is the C major scale played 2 to 2
2. it is the D Major scale modifing two notes the m3 and m7

Each mode can be thought of as playing a major scale and starting on the note that defines the mode. Each constrution of a new scale mode will modify the intervals with minor or augmentd notes.

Using the method of identifying scales as playing a major scale starting on a new note is one way to identify a mode and play. So if you are playing Bb Dorian it is the Bb scale with a Bb and Eb starting on C played: C - D - Eb - F - G - A - Bb - C

Giving Names to the Scale Modes

Use the numbering of the modes as 6 alterations from the tonic or 1st mode. Each can be given a name based on the note that starts that alteration. We can identify the interval modifications at the same time.

Label Note to Note and Name of Mode
Using the C Major Scale

Played from	Name	Interval Alteration
1 - 1 (C)	Ionian	None - all Mjr
2 - 2 (D)	Dorian	b3 - b7
3 - 3 (E)	Phrygian	b2 - b3 - b6 - b7
4 - 4 (F)	Lydian	#4
5 - 5 (G)	Mixolydian	b7 (dom 7)
6 - 6 (A)	Aeolian	b3 - b6 - b7 (natural minor)
7 - 7 (B)	Locrian	b2 - b3 - b5 - b6 - b7

Now we need to see the Scale Modes in practice with the notes on a staff.

C Ionian -- Major Scale w/o alterations; major scale 1-1

D Dorian -- flat 3 and 7; major scale 2 -2;

E Phrygian -- flat 2, 3, 6, and 7; major scale 3 -3;

F Lydian -- augmented or raised 4; major scale 4 -4;

G Mixolydian -- flat 7; major scale 5 -5 (dominate 7)

A Aeolian (A Natural Minor) -- flat 3, 6, and 7; major scale 6 -6

B Locrian -- flat 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7; major scale 7 -7

This is the math of the modes. Each mode can define it's own feel, color, or mood. Each could become a I in a harmonic system and thus define its own harmonic system. That's advanced stuff. Which could be explored at another time.

Listen to the modes from brightest to darkest to get the idea of the mood.

Play each scale in the following order to hear the differences:

Played from	Name	Interval Alteration
G mjr 4 - 4	C Lydian	#4
C mjr 1 - 1	C Ionian	None - all Mjr
F mjr 5 - 5	C Mixolydian	b7 (dom 7)
Bb mjr 2 - 2	C Dorian	b3 - b7
Eb mjr 6 -6	C Aeolian	b3 - b6 - b7
Ab mjr 3 - 3	C Phrygian	b2 - b3 - b6 - b7
Db mjr 7 - 7	C Locrian	b2 - b3 - b5 - b6 - b7

You can play these if you know your major scales down cold. If not you may have to write them out. Just remember that each one starts on C.

Scale modes are used extensive to improvize in jazz solos. knowning which mode applies to which chord type is where that comes into play. That is an advanced concept that we will explore in a future workbook.

Learning Resources

Scales Workshop

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Learning scales is intimidating for the beginning student.