So let me get this right

[neuralsnafu]

The modes of the major scale are built off the same pattern, just shifted? It can't be that simple! Someone let me know if I'm dreaming this up or not...
Ionian: wwhwwwh
Dorian: whwwwhw
Etc...

[Art Araya]

you are correct - that is how the modes are derived from the major scale. it is that simple.

[fdorn]

Yep...It is really that simple.

[HolmeBass]

Yep, that's it. Now go and shed them in all 12 keys with an ear towards internalizing the sound of each mode.

[bander68]

I Don't Particularly Like Modes A Lot

Ionian (12345671)
Dorian (23456712)
Phrygian (34567123)
Lydian (45671234)
Mixolydian (56712345)
Aeolian (67123456)
Locrian (71234567)

Ionian is Major, btw and Aeolian is Minor.

[ics1974]

Do the following test and you will understand the modes.
Modes are just the different sounds of a scale being played against a chord or chord progression.

In the Key of C you have the following chords C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim
You will need a looper or a recording device.

Since we are in the key of C we will use ONLY the C major scale.
Record into your looper a C chord. Play the C major scale in any order. You have Ionian sound
Record into your looper a Dm chord. Play the C major scale over it in any order. You have Dorian sound.
Record into your looper a Em chord. Play the C major scale over it in any order. You have Phrygian sound.
Record into your looper a F chord. Play the C major scale over it in any order. You have Lydian sound.
Record into your looper a G chord. Play the C major scale over it in any order. You have Mixolydian sound.
Record into your looper a Am chord. Play the C major scale over it in any order. You have Aeolian sound.
Record into your looper a Bdim chord. Play the C major scale over it in any order. You have Locrian sound.

It's important to note you don't have to play the scale in any order. A mode is simply the major scale played over certain chords that in turn produce a mood. like happy (Ionian) or dark (Aeolian)
For instance if you play the C major scale (in any order) over a C chord like above you will have the Ionian sound.
If you play the same C major scale (in any order) over a Am chord you will have the Aeolian Sound. Am is the sixth chord in the key of C.
It is important also to note that the Root chord in a progression (Root chord being the tonal center i.e. what sounds like home) also defines the mode.
So if the chord progression is C, Am, F, G and C sounds like home, you can play the C major scale over all the chords and it will maintain the C Ionian (happy) sound over all the chords because the C chord is what feels like home.

[MrChrizmo]

Theoretically I think it's somewhat easy, playing it is different in my opinion.

Take some chord changes in Cmaj and blow over them with the Cmaj Scale. Every tone will sound "okay" more or less but doing it like that without thinking about the changes you tend to sound, or at least I do, very blank.

[ics1974]

Originally Posted by MrChrizmo

Theoretically I think it's somewhat easy, playing it is different in my opinion.

Take some chord changes in Cmaj and blow over them with the Cmaj Scale. Every tone will sound "okay" more or less but doing it like that without thinking about the changes you tend to sound, or at least I do, very blank.

I agree. It's good to know your modes but it's alway best to follow the changes.

[CrewsControl]

Originally Posted by neuralsnafu

The modes of the major scale are built off the same pattern, just shifted? It can't be that simple! Someone let me know if I'm dreaming this up or not...
Ionian: wwhwwwh
Dorian: whwwwhw
Etc...

Arrange the modes in the order of the circle of fifths, and the pattern of intervals becomes even clearer. Dorian is in the middle, and has an equal number of diminished and augmented (aka minor and major) intervals. Above Dorian, the number of augmented intervals increases, and below it the number of diminished intervals increases.

[neuralsnafu]

Truth be told I can't believe it took me this long to realize it...