Quick Info - Modes
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Harmonic Interval Series
Harmonic Interval Series
These are the modes of the western major scale along with the interval formula. For more information, see Lesson 21
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
For playing in real time, this representation of our interval numbers is better because the fifth interval can now be used as a reference point to find the 4, -5, +5 and 6. This representation is only used when describing melodies as this entire course is focused on music theory which improves your real time playing. A -5 is less confusing and easier to locate than a #4 with your real time playing. When you're playing in real time, you're not thinking about modes, you just want to locate the notes easier.
Modes from darkest to lightest
Modes from darkest to lightest
This is the mode order showing the Ionian equivalent pure modal scale. This gives you some context on how the order is derived. The more flat sounds in reference to the root will sound darkest. Please note, the emotion mode of any piece of music doesn't only rely on this one element, there are other factors which will determine if your music sounds darker or brighter. Here are some other factors which may determine the emotional content of a song.
Tempo
Lead melody note at a chord change.
The melody
Instrumentation
Harmonic and/or melodic rhythm.
The mode order going from darkest to brightest along with the associated chord in the key of C. This table is handy when choosing chord progressions. If you're not sure how these are derived see Lesson 22. Observe the first and third columns are key independent, while the middle column is in the key of C.
The Lydian is the brightest because it's equivalent to an Ionian #4. Observe the column in the middle is in the key of C, the Mode Name and Chord Number columns are key independent.
A bright sound is felt when rising in pitch, a sad sound is felt when we falling in pitch. This is an objective feeling we all feel when listening to interval movement. If you're writing a melody, rising in pitch will give the melody a life, falling in pitch gives the melody a sad or left bright feel.
Modal Pattern Definitions
Modal Pattern Definitions
A modal pattern definition is a pattern constraint defined within a modal context used as a tool to create melodies and finger placement exercises.
A modal pattern definition defines the initial finger-interval placement although when creating finger placement exercise, you're not constraint to the actual fingers used, not constraint to the rhythm and the only melody constraint is the intervals within the pattern. How you use the intervals is up to you, it offers a great deal of flexibility because the goal is to design melodies which have a structure within a modal context. In other words, the notes you purposely avoid give your melodies a particular sound.
[Pattern Number] [Hand] = [Rising Stack Interval] [Diatonic Chord]
[Mode] [Operations] [Direction]
[Upper Limit] [Finger Placement] [Key Signature]
example
P1 RH=(-7)C Locrian R-2 R4 R+5 > -7 T I M P Key Db
P Indicates pattern.
RH Is a right hand pattern, you can also have LF
(-7) Indicates a rising stack and the interval may be any of the twelve intervals.
C is the root of the pattern and the starting note.
Locrian The mode of the pattern, this may be any of the seven modes.
R-2 R4 R+5 The modal operations together with the mode define the patterns character.
> How the pattern is to be played, may also be < or >< or <>
-7 This is the upper limit, for intervals over an octave, use the H indicator, example H3 H5 H4 etc. This may be any of the twelve intervals.
T I M P Finger placement
Key Db Initial key Signature
Modal equivalent examples
Modal equivalent examples
Here are some examples of Ionian equivalent pure modal scales.
Ionian ≡ Dorian #3 #-7
Ionian ≡ Phrygian #-2 #-3 #+5 #-7
Ionian ≡ Lydian b-5
Ionian ≡ Mixolydian #-7
Ionian ≡ Aeolian #-3 #+5 #-7
Ionian ≡ Locrian #-2 #-3 #-5 #+5 #-7
Dorian ≡ Ionian b3 b7
Phrygian ≡ Ionian b2 b3 b6 b7
Lydian ≡ Ionian #4
Mixolydian ≡ Ionian b7
Aeolian ≡ Ionian Aeolian b3 b6 b7
Locrian ≡ Ionian b2 b3 b5 b6 b7
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