I have a list of things I want to learn before I die:
- How to hotwire a car
- How to juggle
- How to pick a lock (extra credit for being able to jimmy a car, though I've sort of done that, kinda)
And number four, in case I learn any of the top three, is "modes". I get the basic idea of "keys", even if I don't have any of it memorized, but for the life of me I don't even get conceptually what "modes" are.
I live to serve!
Every scale is defined by its set of intervals. Let's take the C Major scale:
I C (whole step interval) II D (whole step interval) III E (half step interval) IV F (whole step interval) V G (whole step interval) VI A (whole step interval) VII B (half step interval) C
the above WWHWWWH intervals set is the formula that gives the major scale its distinctive (happy reassuring) sound. Let's call it the first mode of C Major, or Ionian.
Now try to run the same scale, but this time start from D and finish on D.
They are the same notes as befor, but the intervals have now shifted: WHWWWHW. This is now the second mode of C Major, or Dorian.
Go from E to E: HWWWHWW, third mode, or Phrygian
Go from F to F: WWWHWWH, fourth mode, or Lydian
Go from G to G: WWHWWHW, fifth mode, or Mixolydian
Go from A to A: WHWWHWW, sixth mode, or Aeolian
Go from B to B: HWWHWWW, seventh mode, or Locrian
Let's go a bit deeper:
Ionian is a major mode (a whole step between II and III), with a major 7th (half step between VII and I): it's the focking major scale. Happy sound.
Dorian is a minor mode (half step between II and III) with a minor 7th (whole step between VII and I) and it's different from your regular natural minor scale because its 6th note is not flat (there's a whole step between VI and VII). It's a funny sexy minor scale, sounding like Oye Como Va and generally noodling Santana.
Phrygian is a minor mode (ditto) with a minor 7th (ditto) and it's different from your regular natural minor scale because its 2nd note is flat (half step between I and II). It's a mysterious mediterranean minor scale, sounding like Al Di Meola racing with the devil up and down an Ovation's neck.
Lydian is a major mode (ditto) with a major 7th (ditto) and it's different from your regular major scale because its 4th note is sharp (a half step between IV and V). It's a quirky alien major scale, sounding like ... the focking Simpsons theme.
Mixolydian is a major mode (ditto) with a minor 7th (whole step between VII and I), which makes it a dominant major scale. It sounds bluesy. Thin The Mule.
Aeolian is a natural minor scale (3rd, 6th and 7th notes flat). It sounds unoffensively sad. Sound of Silence.
Locryan is a minor scale (ditto), with a flat 7th note (ditto), a flat 2nd note (ditto) AND a flat 5th note, which makes it a half-diminished dominant scale. It sounds mysterioulsy eccentric, almost deceptively atonal. It's often used in fast dominant runs toward a minor conclusion or metal disturbing shredding.
IMPORTANT:
. Every scale generates modes, all you need to do is shift the starting tone and figure the resulting intervals
. It still is the same scale we've started with. It's just the emphasis on the peculiar "divergent" intervals that gives the peculiar modal sounds.
EDIT: Ninjad