CHAPTER 33 : THE MODES
If you are one of the many musicians who finds the Modes a daunting subject –
TAKE HEART! This topic is easier than you think.
*You are actually already familiar with several of the Modes.
*A MODE is simply a variation of the basic Major and Minor Scales.
*The Names of the Modes may be new to you, but you already know the sound.
The term MODE (as it is commonly used in contemporary music) is just another
word for ‘scale’. There are 7 MODES, each one named after an ancient Greek
city-state [see Sidebar below]. Here is an easy way to identity them:
Look at the 7 white keys on the keyboard, C – D – E – F – G – A – B
Play a 7 note scale starting on each of these notes using only the white keys –
***You have just played the 7 Modes.
Here is a quick synopsis of the 7 MODES:
! IONIAN MODE "White Keys starting on ‘C’***Identical to the Major Scale! DORIAN MODE "White Keys starting on ‘D’***Just like Natural Minor Scale with a RAISED 6th! PHRYGIAN MODE "White Keys starting on ‘E’***Just like Natural Minor Scale with a LOWERED 2nd! LYDIAN MODE "White Keys starting on ‘F’***Just like the Major Scale with a RAISED 4th! MIXOLYDIAN MODE "White Keys starting on ‘G’***Just like the Major Scale with a LOWERED 7th! AEOLIAN MODE "White Keys starting on ‘A’***Identical to the Natural Minor Scale! LOCRIAN MODE "White Keys starting on ‘B’***Just like Natural Minor Scale with a LOWERED 2nd
and 5th