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The following is a list of musical scales and modes. Degrees are relative to the major scale.
NameImageDegreesIntervals15-tet scale on C.——16-tet scale on C.——17-tet scale on C.——19-tet scale on C.——- The Construction of Major Music Modes
- Major Modes: Ionian, Lydian, and Mixolydian
- Minor Modes: Aeolian, Dorian, Phrygian, and Locrian
- Writing Modal Melodies
The term modal scales is applied to a group of scales commonly used in pop and jazz music. Music modes are different than the “regular” major and minor scales most students are familiar with. Each mode has a name, and mode names come from the Greek language and from a time before major and minor (as we know them) were clearly defined. The scale we ...
Let’s look at the three major music modes first: the Ionian, Lydian, and Mixolydian,each of which has major 3rds. Each mode has characteristic notes—particular notes that clearly set each apart from the regular major, or Ionian, scale. For example, notice that the 4th degree of the Lydian scale is a half step higher than its counterpart in the Ioni...
There are four minor modes (those with minor 3rds), and we have already seen one of them, Aeolian. Since we are familiar with Aeolian—we know the scale by its other name, natural minor —we will use it as a point of reference. The following contrasts the Aeolian scale with the other three minor modes: Dorian, Phrygian, and Locrian. Notice that the D...
Because our ears are more accustomed to hearing melodies in major, and to a lesser extent, “regular” minor, modal melodies have to work extra hard to promote their tonality and modality. Here are some points to keep in mind:
Modes and scales. A musical scale is a series of pitches in a distinct order. The concept of "mode" in Western music theory has three successive stages: in Gregorian chant theory, in Renaissance polyphonic theory, and in tonal harmonic music of the common practice period.
- 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.
Since there are 7 scale degrees of the Major Scale, there are 7 Modes. Modes are used to add colour and character to otherwise ‘normal’ sounding Major and Minor tonalities. Despite their exotic sounds (and exotic names), modes are no different than what you have been reading about so far.
Apr 19, 2024 · What are Modes in Music? Modes, which are sometimes called the church modes, are a series of seven musical scales, each with its own unique qualities and sound. These seven scales are all types of diatonic scales, which means they have seven notes, contain two intervals that are semitones (half steps) and five intervals that are tones (whole ...
Sep 19, 2019 · What Is a Mode in the First Place? A mode is like a scale: It is a collection of pitches which have a certain relationship between each other. Just like any major or minor scale, a mode has a Tonic (a point of rest) and a “Dominant” (a point of tension which needs resolution).
