Introduction

A scales popular name is never the best way to learn how to play scales, because it isn't descriptive enough for you to play the scale, it relies on memorisation. For example, a scale having a popular name as Altered Dorian might give you a clue, you take a Dorian and alter it somehow, but how? An Altered Dorian is a Dorian #4, which is a much better way to name the scale, it tells you what to do. Ian's Ring application is a good tool, but don't get frightened because there are 2048 different combinations of scales all with crazy names. If you know all your modes, you can describe any scale as a known mode with a descriptive alteration. 

To find the popular names and harmonic interval formula for any scale, we're going to use this internet tool.

Ian Ring Scale Finder 

Why are pure modal scales better?

The best thing about pure modal scales is they give you modal and keyed context which aids in your visualisation to be able to improvise using the scale. Pure modal scales are better because they tell you exactly how to play the scale in terms of modal operations. Rather than trying to remember a sometimes meaningless popular name, or a series of interval numbers, you'll work with what you already know, all your modes. Learning modes is not as difficult as it sounds, it becomes a visual exercise once you learn all your major scales. Once you know all your major scales, finding a mode is visually easy so with pure modal scales, all you need to do is remember the operations transforming the natural mode into the pure modal scale.

Any scale can be represent as a pure modal scale and each pure modal scale has seven modal equivalent scales to choose from. You choose the pure modal scale having the least amount of operations to remember. 

Pure Modal Scales 

(Akousunesis pure modal are natural modal scales with operations)

A natural modal scales is where you begin to visualise any scale on the piano. You don't need to remember harmonic interval numbers, you only need to know how to play a major scale on the piano. Using clever visualisation on the piano, modes are quick to play. 

Once you know how to play all your modes, any scale may be created using the following modal alteration;

b - flat, 

# - sharp, 

A - add, 

R - remove.

For consistency and playability, the Akousunesis Method only ever describes harmonic intervals as:

1 -2 2 -3 3 4 -5 5 +5 6 -7 7

Natural Modes: You don't need to remember these numbers, modes are located visually. 

• Ionian     1 2  3 4 5 6 7

• Dorian     1 2 -3 4 5 6 -7

• Phrygian   1 -2 -3 4 5 +5 -7

• Lydian     1 2 3 -5 5 6 7

• Mixolydian 1 2 3 4 5 6 -7

• Aeolian    1 2 -3 4 5 +5 -7

• Locrian    1 -2 -3 4 -5 +5 -7