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 Modes

:: Quicklist ::

What Is A Mode?
Ionian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolian
Locrian
Transposed Modes
Table of Modes
Modes - Relation To Major
Modes - Relation To Minor

What Is A Mode?

Modes were used to organize the melodic and harmonic elements of music in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. You can think of modes as scales which use the white keys of the piano. The Ionian mode (same as the major scale) uses the white keys from C to C. The six remaining modes also use the white keys but start on different notes. For example the Dorian mode uses the white keys from D to D.

During the 17th to the late 19th Century, the modes were not commonly used, being replaced by the major and minor scales. Modes are often heard in music today.

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Ionian

Ionian mode starts on the first scale degree of a major scale and ascends an octave. The pattern of whole and half steps is:

The Ionian mode is the same as a major scale.

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Dorian

Dorian mode starts on the second scale degree of a major scale and ascends an octave. The pattern of whole and half steps is:

Dorian mode is the same as a natural minor scale with a raised sixth note.

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Phrygian

Phrygian mode starts on the third scale degree of a major scale and ascends an octave. The pattern of whole and half steps is:

The Phrygian mode is the same as a natural minor scale with a lowered second note.

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Lydian

Lydian mode starts on the fourth scale degree of a major scale and ascends an octave. The pattern of whole and half steps is:

The Lydian mode is the same as a major scale with a raised fourth note.

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Mixolydian

Mixolydian mode starts on the fifth scale degree of a major scale and ascends an octave. The pattern of whole and half steps is:

The Mixolydian mode is the same as a major scale with a lowered seventh note.

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Aeolian

Aeolian mode starts on the sixth scale degree of a major scale and ascends an octave. The pattern of whole and half steps is:

The Aeolian mode is the same as a natural minor scale.

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Locrian

Locrian mode starts on the seventh scale degree of a major scale and ascends an octave. The pattern of whole and half steps is:

The Locrian mode is the same as a natural minor scale with lowered second and fifth notes.

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Transposed Modes

It is easy to think of modes using the white keys of the piano, but they can be transposed to any of the 12 chromatic pitches.

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Table of Modes

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Modes - Relation To Major

The Ionian, Lydian, and Mixolydian modes are closely related to the major scale.

Modal scales can begin on any of the 12 chromatic pitches, provided they follow the pattern of whole and half steps for that mode.

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Modes - Relation To Minor

The Aeolian, Dorian, Phrygian and Locrian modes are closely related to the Natural minor scale.

Modal scales can begin on any of the 12 chromatic pitches, provided they follow the pattern of whole and half steps for that mode.

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[Note Reading] [Circle of Fifths] [Key Signatures] [Major/Minor Scales] Modes [Jazz Scales] [Scale Degrees] [Intervals] [Note/Rest Durations] [Theory Index]

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