If you continue the method of writing the next scale degree and deleting the first you’ll get G Mixolydian. “Bull in the Heather” by Sonic Youth features Lydian’s raised 4th scale degree prominently in the verse guitar melody: We like this mode so much we did an entire piece on Lydian. If you write the next note in the scale you’ll get F Lydian. The second chord in the opening progression of “Pyramid Song” by Radiohead is built on the Phrygian flatted 2nd: The characteristic minor 2nd interval has a recognizable sound. It’s similar to minor, but the flatted 2nd scale degree immediately sets it apart. If you delete the D you’ll have another 8-note scale from E1-E2. Listen for the sound of the natural 6th in the opening guitar figures and vocal melody: Here’s a song built around the Dorian mode. This is what makes the Dorian mode distinct from other minor scales and gives it that special quality. The 6th degree is natural, but the 7th degree is flatted. It’s similar-but with some very important differences. Notice how it’s pretty close to the D minor scale. If we erase the C we started with, we now have an 8 note scale from D1-D2. Dorian Modeįor Dorian, write the C major scale but instead of stopping at the octave (C), write the next scale degree as if you were continuing up the octave (D). Since all the notes are essentially the same, we’ll have to play each mode over the corresponding diatonic chord to hear its quality. If you need a quick refresher on key signatures, use our circle of fifths guide as a quick reminder.Īs you can see C major has no sharps or flats, just the white keys on the keyboard. Since your “key signature” won’t change as we go through the modes, you’ll be able to play each mode using the C major scale formula. It’s equivalent to the first mode: Ionian. I’ll go through and build each mode from the C major scale and provide an example from music history to help you understand the potential of each mode in your own songwriting. Ironically, you can use the mnemonic I Don’t Particularly Like Modes A Lot to remember it!
So what are they and how can you remember them? The sound of the modes come from their unique constructions.
Once you start experimenting with modes, you’ll recognize a lot of the sounds and colour they have to offer. Their melodic signatures can bring a lot of drama and freshness to your sound. If you’ve been writing a lot using the vanilla major and minor scales, your next song can benefit from some modal flavour!Įach mode has its own unique colour and mood. Today, modal music refers to pieces of music where modes are used structurally and harmonically in place of traditional functional harmony. In early music, the modes were used similarly to how we use keys now. Instead of one all-purpose scale that could be transposed into different keys, there were 7 modes that each had their own structure. The 7 modes, Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian, come from the earliest forms of western music.īefore we figured out the math for dividing the octave into 12 equal tones, we had to make do with an imperfect system. Musical modes are a type of scale with distinct melodic characteristics.
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This article will show you how to build-and remember-each musical mode, what they sound like and ways to explore them further. If you need to break out of a creative rut, modes are the easiest alternative to your same old major scale. Music theory is one of the most common roadblocks for self-taught musicians and producers.īut the truth is, all you need to expand your tonal palette is a little practical understanding of music modes. Even if you know it’ll pay off, the idea of sitting down and memorizing musical scales isn’t anyone’s idea of a creative flow.