What a mode is
Understand modes as the seven "rotations" of the major scale.
Modes have a reputation for being difficult. They are not: a mode is the same seven notes with a different note as home.
Rotating a scale
A mode is a scale you get by playing the notes of a parent scale starting from one of its degrees, and treating that note as the new tonic. The major scale has seven modes, one per degree. Using the notes of C major:
| Start | Mode | Notes | Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Ionian | C D E F G A B | W W H W W W H |
| D | Dorian | D E F G A B C | W H W W W H W |
| E | Phrygian | E F G A B C D | H W W W H W W |
| F | Lydian | F G A B C D E | W W W H W W H |
| G | Mixolydian | G A B C D E F | W W H W W H W |
| A | Aeolian | A B C D E F G | W H W W H W W |
| B | Locrian | B C D E F G A | H W W H W W W |
Each mode has its own pattern of whole and half steps: the two half steps fall in different places. That pattern is what gives each mode its sound, not the starting note alone. You already know two of them: Ionian is the major scale, and Aeolian is the natural minor scale (lesson 6.2 was a mode relationship). The others are Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian and Locrian.
The names come from Greek regions via medieval church music. The medieval modes differed from the ancient Greek ones; the modern system uses the names only as labels.
Hearing the tonic
Playing “D to D in C major” only sounds like Dorian when D feels like home, through a D bass note, a Dm chord or a drone. Otherwise it still sounds like C major. Hearing the tonic is essential.
The Modes and scales section of the Bass Map tool shows every mode on the neck.
Hold an open D (or play it repeatedly), then play D to D using only the natural notes (D E F G A B C D) over it. Then do the same with an open E (E to E). The two sound very different, though the notes are the same.
New terms
Tools
- Bass Map: Arpeggios, circle of fifths, natural harmonics, modes and scales on the bass neck, in any key.