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Originally Posted by azfryguy  Modes are very interesting to me and I get the concept but I have a few questions about them. What are the modes of A major? Im pretty sure B melodic minor is the second and E mixo is the 5th correct?
Do all major modes follow the same pattern?
Will the 5th mode of any major scale always be Mixolydian? Thanks guy |
From your question I am sure you have been told the following: Let's use C as it has no sharps or flats to get in the way.
Ionian.. = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
Dorian......... D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D
Phrygian.......... E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E
Lydian..................F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F
Mixolydian............. G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Aeolian ....................... A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A
Locrian............................. B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B
Use the same notes just start them on a different first note.
Nice easy way to teach modes, terrible way to use mode
on the fly. I had to stop and count up on my fingers what note I was to start on. And then melody notes do not come in an order like that. So again easy way to teach modes not very effective if you want to use modes.
With the bass you are probably going to be using chord tone and scales tone interval numbers to build your bass lines. Things like R-3-5-3 (chord tone interval numbers) or R-2-3-5-6 (Major pentatonic interval numbers) govern our World. Why not use scale interval numbers for our modes.
You have three major modes, three minor modes and one diminished mode in every set of modes. Let the major scale be your home base for the major modes. Let the natural minor scale be your home bass for the minor and diminished modes. Here is how it works.
Major scale = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Ionian ...........1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 is that easy?
Lydian...........1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7, 8 one note difference.
Mixolydian.....1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7, 8 again one note difference.
If you want Ionian's upbeat attractive mood just use the major scale. If you want Lydian's major dreamy mood use the major scale and sharp the 4th. If you want Mixolydian's Mexican or Blues mood use the major scale and flat the 7th. Yep simple as that.
Now for the minor modes. The Natural minor scale is your home base.
Natural minor scale = 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7, 8
Aeolian................. = 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7, 8 Same as the natural minor scale.
Dorian ................. = 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, ..6, b7, 8 One note difference.
Phrygian .............. = 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7, 8 One note difference.
Locrian................. = 1, b2, b3, 4, b5, b6, b7, 8 As this is your diminished mode two note change here.
If you want Aeolian's sad mood use the natural minor scale. If you want Dorian's minor attractive jazz mood sharp the b6 back to a natural 6. If you want Phrygian's exotic Spanish mood flat the 2nd. If you want Locrian's dark and tense mood flat the 2nd and the 5th.
Now that is something once put to memory you will be able to use on the fly. Ask yourself how often does the mood change in a song? Not very often, why would you want to have three and four modes in one song? You don't. Pick a mood you want to produce, make a vamp that will sustain that mood, and then gather your melody notes from that mode's intervals.
Now this all begs the question what chord progression should you use under the mode you choose? Answer; you should not use a progression you should use a modal vamp. Only reason to even think about using a mode is to gain the modes mood. A chord progression will call attention to the tonal center of the tonic scale/key. This probably will do nothing about sustaining the modal mood. A modal vamp is needed under a mode so the modal vamp sticks around long enough to sustain the modal mood. Here is how to make a modal vamp;
http://www.riddleworks.com/modalharm3.html
I know I just gave you a paradigm shift. Print this off, sit down and read this again and then ask questions. O'h yes, next time someone starts talking about modes being the same notes just started on a different note - nod your head and smile, but, there is a better way it's called paralell modes or pitch axis. Google pitch axis for more on how to use modes.
I know, I know, you have to see it to believe it. Go here
http://www.looknohands.com/chordhous.../index_rb.html
Ask it to give you C Phrygian then scroll down the screen to see:
C Phrygian
intervals: 1,b2,b3,4,5,b6,b7
notes: C,Db,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb
Happy trails.
