The Complete Idiot''s Guide to Music Theory

Par t 1:Tones

The Intervals of the Aeolian Mode

Note Half Steps to Next Note

Tonic 2

Second 1

Third 2

Fourth 2

Fifth 1

Sixth 2

Seventh 2

You use the Aeolian mode a lot when you play blues and jazz tunes. A Aeolian is

relative to the key of C, and consists of the following notes:

42

A Aeolian mode, relative to the key of C.

Locrian

The Locrian mode can be thought of as starting on the seventh note of the

related major scale. It’s probably the weirdest sounding of all the modes,

because all the leading notes are in all the wrong places.

Back in olden times, Locrian was a mode that existed in theory only; it wasn’t

used in actual music. Today, however, the Locrian mode is used in some jazz

music, and in some new music compositions.

The intervals between notes in the Locrian mode are as follows.

The Intervals of the Locrian Mode

Note Half Steps to Next Note

Tonic 1

Second 2

Third 2

Fourth 1

Fifth 2

Sixth 2

Seventh 2