Names of the modes

[Earthday]

Just need a little clarifying here on how to name the modes. For example, if I were starting with a D and playing the mixolydian shape (major scale with a flat 7) would that be D myxolydian or G myxolydian.

[mVC]

The name of the mode is always called after the note you are starting the scale with. D major scale with a flat 7 would be D mixolydian.

Hope this clarifies it.
Maurice

[Earthday]

all i needed to hear, thanks

[saxnbass]

How did you guys learn the modes and such, any tips? Cause I am having problems with this and learning my keys (I can play sax and can play in 5 major keys no problem). I can only sollow in G major on bass though. Any advice on learning these 2 things (modes and playing in keys)? Sorry if I hijacked the thread. I can start a new thread for this if needed. I just thought I'd hijack an existing thread since Earthday got the info he wanted.

[fcleff]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

How did you guys learn the modes and such, any tips? Cause I am having problems with this and learning my keys (I can play sax and can play in 5 major keys no problem). I can only sollow in G major on bass though. Any advice on learning these 2 things (modes and playing in keys)? Sorry if I hijacked the thread. I can start a new thread for this if needed. I just thought I'd hijack an existing thread since Earthday got the info he wanted.

I hope that this is clear. The numbers represent the notes of the major scale. The corresponding modes are listed next to them. In order to play the mode just start on that note of the scale and play up to the octave using the same key (accidentals).

1 = major (Ionian)
2 = dorian
3 = phrygian
4 = lydian
5 = mixolydian
6 = minor (aeolian)
7 = locrian
8 = octave (major/ionian)

In order to learn your key signatures you might want to look at the Circle of Fifths. This is a useful key signature memory aide. Google it and you will find more info than you can deal with. Check out www.musictheory.net for some info on it.

Good luck!

[saxnbass]

Thanks for that. I know the circle of fifths and I know my key signature (accidentals) for all the major keys and can give you the corresponding minor for the major keys. The thing is I can't play them (solo, improvise)

[fcleff]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

Thanks for that. I know the circle of fifths and I know my key signature (accidentals) for all the major keys and can give you the corresponding minor for the major keys. The thing is I can't play them (solo, improvise)

It sounds like you need a couple of things:

1. Get the scales under your fingers by practicing them. Find as many different fingerings as possible (there are many books on this).

2. Gain a basic knowledge of harmonic progression and how the scales/modes relate. It sounds like you are headed in the jazz direction so start with the blues (I-IV7-V7) and then start working with more jazz-like progressions/turnarounds (ii-V7-I, iii-vi-ii-V7-I, etc).

[saxnbass]

fcleff, that sounds like what I need. I have the 1. down in the key of G, but that's the only key so far. Any tips on how to get it down in the rest of the keys?

I recently bought a bunch of books, so I hope they'll help me a lot.

[jady]

To remember the modes start in the relative minor of C (A minor) and say:
At - Aolian (starts on an A)
Least - Locrian
I - Ionian
Dont - Dorian
Play - Phrygan
Like - Lydian
Mike - Mixolydian

Hope this helps..........

[MonetBass]

The way I was taught to remember:
In (ionian)
Denver (dorian)
People (phrygian)
Like (lydian)
Music (mixolydian)
After (aeolian)
Lunch (locrian)

[fcleff]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

fcleff, that sounds like what I need. I have the 1. down in the key of G, but that's the only key so far. Any tips on how to get it down in the rest of the keys?

I recently bought a bunch of books, so I hope they'll help me a lot.

You can use finger patterns. They can be kind of limiting in the long run but a good place to start. If you are doing the I chord in G then I would guess that your fingering is 2-1-4-2-4 on frets 3-2-5-3-5 respectively. This is called an arpeggio (being in Italy you probably know this; did I spell it correctly?). Do this same finger pattern on the 4th and 5th (IV and V) degrees of the scale and voila! You have a (very basic) blues bass line. Move this pattern around in your circle of fifths and you will get the same harmonic sequence. It should be somewhere in one of your books.

But ultimately, you need to practice running scales in as many conceivable fingerings that you can come up with. That will help you more in the long run.

What books did you get. List them if you can.

[Sean S]

Originally Posted by OKStateBass66

The way I was taught to remember:
In (ionian)
Denver (dorian)
People (phrygian)
Like (lydian)
Music (mixolydian)
After (aeolian)
Lunch (locrian)

My classical guitar class came up with this one:

I - Ionian (Major Scale)
Don't - Dorian
Punch - Phrygian
Little - Lydian
Men - Myxolydian
After - Aeolian (Natural Minor)
Lunch - Locrian

You'll notice that there's 2 "L" words, Lydian and Locrian. Just connect Lydian and Mixolydian

[Mark Wilson]

Keep in mind that Aeolian is NATURAL Minor. Not Melodic or Harmonic.

-Mark

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by jady

To remember the modes start in the relative minor of C (A minor) and say:
At - Aolian (starts on an A)
Least - Locrian
I - Ionian
Dont - Dorian
Play - Phrygan
Like - Lydian
Mike - Mixolydian

Hope this helps..........

HEY! Leave Mike out of this!!

Believe it or not, the mnemonic I came up with myself to learn these years back was:

I
Don't
Prattle
Like
Mick
About
Lunacy

I think the more stupid things like this are, the better you remember. I'd use my mnemonic for the first row transition elements in the Periodic Table to demonstrate, but I'm afraid it would violate TB policy and outrage normal human decency.