# The seven modes, one by one

*Module 13 · Lesson 2: Modes · BazzLow*

> Know the formula, the characteristic note and the colour of each mode.

Before this lesson: [13.1 What a mode is](https://bazzlow.com/en/modes/what-is-a-mode/)

Each mode has a formula, a colour and one note that makes it recognisable. Compare each with the major scale on the same tonic and the differences become easy to hear.

## The formulas

*The seven modes compared with the major scale on the same tonic, from brightest to darkest. The characteristic note is in bold.*

| Mode | Formula | Quality | Characteristic note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lydian | 1 2 3 **♯4** 5 6 7 | major | ♯4 |
| Ionian | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | major | (reference) |
| Mixolydian | 1 2 3 4 5 6 **♭7** | major | ♭7 |
| Dorian | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 **6** ♭7 | minor | major 6 |
| Aeolian | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 **♭6** ♭7 | minor | ♭6 |
| Phrygian | 1 **♭2** ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 | minor | ♭2 |
| Locrian | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 **♭5** ♭6 ♭7 | diminished | ♭5 |

The order goes from brightest to darkest, and each step lowers exactly one note: Lydian → Ionian (♯4 → 4); Ionian → Mixolydian (7 → ♭7); Mixolydian → Dorian (3 → ♭3); Dorian → Aeolian (6 → ♭6); Aeolian → Phrygian (2 → ♭2); Phrygian → Locrian (5 → ♭5). This is the **modal brightness** of each mode.

**Major modes** have a major 3rd: Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian. **Minor modes** have a ♭3: Dorian, Aeolian, Phrygian, plus Locrian, which also has a ♭5.

## The characteristic note

The **characteristic note** is the one to emphasise to make a mode recognisable. Without it the mode sounds like plain major or minor.

Typical uses, as tendencies: Mixolydian in blues, rock and funk over dominant chords; Dorian in funk, soul, jazz and many folk tunes; Phrygian in flamenco-flavoured and metal music; Lydian in film music and some jazz; Locrian mainly over the m7♭5 chord.

## All seven from the same root

Each shape below starts from C at fret 3 on the A string. Only the notes that change are renamed; compare each one with Ionian.

> **Diagram:** C Ionian: C D E F G A B C.

> **Diagram:** C Dorian: C D E♭ F G A B♭ C.

> **Diagram:** C Phrygian: C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C.

> **Diagram:** C Lydian: C D E F♯ G A B C.

> **Diagram:** C Mixolydian: C D E F G A B♭ C.

> **Diagram:** C Aeolian: C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C.

> **Diagram:** C Locrian: C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C.

## Try it

Play C Ionian, then C Mixolydian, C Dorian and C Aeolian from the same root, and listen for the one note that changes each time.

## New terms

- characteristic note
- major mode
- minor mode
- modal brightness

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/modes/seven-modes/