Understand
Modes of the Major Scale
Seven flavours from one set of notes.
Class code
KWXRSame notes, different home
Start the major scale on each of its degrees in turn and you get seven modes, each with its own character.
- Ionian - the major scale itself
- Dorian - minor with a bright 6th
- Phrygian - minor with a flat 2nd
- Lydian - major with a sharp 4th
- Mixolydian - major with a flat 7th
- Aeolian - the natural minor
- Locrian - flat 2nd and flat 5th
Hearing the difference
Hold one bass note and play each mode above it. The changing note - the 3rd, the 6th, the 7th - is what your ear latches onto.
Try it
Test yourself