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In music theory, the term mode or modus is used in a number of distinct senses, depending on context. Its most common use may be described as a type of musical scale coupled with a set of characteristic melodic and harmonic behaviors.
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- Ionian. The Ionian mode is a simple ‘doh re mi’ major key. It is the modern major scale. It is composed of natural notes beginning on C. Ionian mode. A typical example of music in the Ionian mode would be Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto in C major, or Vivaldi's Mandolin Concerto in C major.
- Dorian. The Dorian mode is very similar to the modern natural minor scale. The only difference is in the sixth note, which is a major sixth above the first note, rather than a minor sixth.
- Phrygian. The Phrygian is the third mode. It is also very similar to the modern natural minor scale. The only difference is in the second note, which is a minor second not a major.
- Lydian. The Lydian mode has just one note changed from the Ionian, a major scale, but with the fourth note from the bottom sharpened to give a slightly unsettling sound.
- Ionian Mode. Let’s start with the major scale. It’s equivalent to the first mode: Ionian. Since your “key signature” won’t change as we go through the modes, you’ll be able to play each mode using the C major scale formula.
- Dorian Mode. For Dorian, write the C major scale but instead of stopping at the octave (C), write the next scale degree as if you were continuing up the octave (D).
- Phrygian Mode. Now write the next note in the scale. If you delete the D you’ll have another 8-note scale from E1-E2. This is the third mode: E Phrygian.
- Lydian Mode. Lydian is the fourth mode. If you write the next note in the scale you’ll get F Lydian. We like this mode so much we did an entire piece on Lydian.
- Ionian Mode. Let’s start with the Ionian mode, the foundational cornerstone of Western music. You may be familiar with the Ionian mode already, albeit unknowingly.
- Dorian Mode. Next, let’s explore the Dorian mode, the second of the seven musical modes. In essence, the Dorian mode is a type of minor scale because it contains an interval of a minor third, which provides its distinctive sound.
- Phrygian Mode. Next on our list is the Phrygian mode, the third of the seven musical modes. This mode stands out due to its unique characteristic: it contains a minor second interval, which is the smallest possible interval in Western music.
- Lydian mode. Moving on to the fourth mode, next, we have the Lydian mode. Of the seven modes, the Lydian mode stands out as the brightest sounding. It’s very similar to the Ionian mode but with a single, crucial difference – it contains a raised or ‘sharpened’ fourth degree.
The term modes in music describes the scales which dominated European music for over 1,000 years up until 1500 and continued to be heavily influential for another 100 years after that.
What are modes in music? Learn the 7 music modes to help streamline your workflow and create your dream sound. Examples include Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian. Get music mode examples and hear their distinctive sounds...
Learn how to play the 7 modes in music fast and easy - including sound examples and mnemonics! This article makes Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian your new best friends.
