Mode

 What are musical modes?

Modes in music are scale-like patterns that can begin on any note of the scale, not just the root.
Each mode (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian) has a distinct characteristic.
These modes come from the earliest forms of Western music; in fact, almost all musical modes can be traced back to Ancient Greece.
As you learn the piano modes will play an increasingly important role


What are the differences between scales & modes?

While the terms scale and mode can be used fairly interchangeably on the piano, the reality is a little more complicated.

A piano scale is a set of notes within an octave arranged in sequential order by their pitch.
The ascending or descending interval relationships among the pitches define each scale.
From this relationship, we can derive a generic formula to transpose the scales onto different piano keys.
Moreover, the notes from a scale form melodies and harmonies.

Scales are an ordered set of notes with a clear start and end point.
For example, C major starts on C and ends on the C an octave higher.
But because the C major scale has seven distinct pitches, it is possible to build seven different modes on the major scale.
For example, if we take the notes of the C major scale, also known as the Ionian mode (C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C),
keep this same set of pitches but begin the sequence from the second scale degree (D –E – F – G – A – B – C – D),
we have just created the second mode (known as the Dorian mode).


History of musical modes

Musical modes have been around long before the major or minor scales were developed.
They originated in Ancient Greece where the modes were named after different regions.
The Ancient Greek modes were slightly different to those of more recent centuries: some names are the same (like Mixolydian or Dorian)
but others are slightly different (like Hypolydian or Hypophrygian).
Plato and Aristotle wrote about modes and how each one could evoke a different mood or character.

There is a common misconception that church modes of medieval Europe were direct descendants of these Ancient Greek modes.
But the church modes were in fact developed in the ninth century. These modes were heavily used in church music,
especially in what is known as Gregorian Chant music.
Over time, these Gregorian modes were gradually replaced by chromatic scales and diatonic scales (also known as diatonic modes).
Certainly, from the time of J. S. Bach onwards most music was written in keys (for example, C major, D minor etc.).
But today, modes are making a comeback, particularly in the field of jazz music, due to the unusual and otherworldly sounds that jazz modes can create.

The seven modes of the major scale

In modern Western music there are seven modes, each deriving its name from a geographical area of Ancient Greece.
Each musical mode evokes a particular mood or feeling.

Ionian mode:

The Ionian mode is exactly the same as a major scale. One of the first scales you will learn on piano is the C major scale as its notes all occur on white keys (C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C). So if you’ve learned the C major scale, you already know the Ionian mode!

Because it’s exactly the same as a major scale, most pop songs are written in the Ionian mode.

Dorian mode:

The Dorian mode is the second mode. If we take all the pitches of the C major scale (C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C)
 and begin the scale from D, we get D – E – F – G – A – B – C– D, which are the notes of the Dorian mode.

The song ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson uses the Dorian mode.

Phrygian mode:

The Phrygian mode is the third mode. Again, it is very similar to the natural minor scale (see Aeolian mode),
except the second scale degree is a minor second above the tonic rather than a major second.
To build the Phrygian mode take all the pitches of the C major scale and begin from E (E – F – G – A – B – C – D – E).

The song ‘London Calling’ by The Clash uses the Phrygian mode.

Lydian mode:

The Lydian mode is the fourth mode. If we take the pitches of the C major scale and begin on F,
we find that the Lydian mode is spelled F – G – A – B – C – D – E – F. You will notice that it is very similar
to the major scale (see Ionian mode); the only difference is the fourth scale degree, which in the Lydian mode is
 an augmented fourth above the tonic rather than a perfect fourth.

The theme tune to the TV show The Simpsons uses the Lydian mode.

Mixolydian mode

The Mixolydian mode is the fifth mode. Again, this is very similar to the major scale (see Ionian mode),
except the seventh scale degree is a minor seventh above the tonic rather than a major seventh.
 The easiest way to build the Mixolydian mode is to take the pitches of the C major scale and begin from G (G – A – B – C – D – E – F – G).
 The Mixolydian mode is used in a lot of chord progressions, especially between the tonic and dominant. As such,
it can be found in most forms of popular music.

The songs ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ by Guns N Roses and ‘Norwegian Wood’ by The Beatles use the Mixolydian mode.

Aeolian mode:

The Aeolian mode is the sixth mode. It is more commonly called the natural minor scale.
The example composed of natural notes begins on A and is therefore called the A natural-minor scale.
It consists of the notes A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A. Many popular songs written in a minor key use the Aeolian mode.
If you’re ever trying to compose a piece of music, the Aeolian mode is a good place to start.

The songs ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ by Gotye and ‘Losing my Religion’ by R.E.M. use the Aeolian mode.

Locrian mode:

The Locrian mode is the seventh mode. If we use all the pitches of the C major scale but begin from B,
the scale will be built as follows: B – C – D – E – F – G – A – B. Its distinctive feature is the fifth degree of the scale –
it creates an interval known as a diminished fifth. The Locrian is the least used but it nonetheless has a wonderful and
enigmatic character that’s well worth exploring.

The song ‘Army of Me’ by Björk is a rare example of a pop song written in the Locrian mode.


The parent scale: how do I find any mode?

The above descriptions and diagrams have just shown you how to use the parent scale method to build modes.
As long as you know its number in the order (reminder: 1st – Ionian; 2nd – Dorian; 3rd – Phrygian; 4th – Lydian;
5th – Mixolydian; 6th – Aeolian; 7th – Locrian) you can build any mode.

You just have to count backwards to the major parent scale to determine the structure of the mode.

For example, D Mixolydian. Mixolydian is the 5th mode. D is the fifth scale degree of G major.
So D Mixolydian is simply the 8-note scale beginning and ending on D with the same formula as G major. That is: D – E – F# – G – A – B – C – D.