Theory?

[phatphillss]

Im studying theory and attending my third class wenesday. Just got 1 ? hope Its worded right.

A-ionian=B-dorian
C#-phrygian
D-lydian
E-mixolidian
F#-aeolian
G#-locrian

A-ionian=A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#

So my theory teacher gave me this since we both love phish

I Dig Phish Like My Aunts Lover

I=Ionian
Dig=dorian
Phish=phrygian
Like=lydian
My=mixolydian
Aunt=aeolian
Lover=locrian

So it tells me that B-dorian looks like this
B-C#-D-E-F#-G#-A true or false

Is this a good way to remember this part of the theory
Based off of the Ionian scale

first mode of ionian=first mode of ionian
second mode of ionian=first mode of dorian
third mode of ionian=first mode of phrygian
fourth mode of ionian=first mode of lydian
fifth mode of ionian=first mode of mixolydian
sixth mode of ionian=first mode of aeolian
seventh mode of ionian = first mode of locrian

seems to me its easyer to remmeber the ionian scale and base everything off of it.Also while knowing the notes of the ionian scale for every note A-A#-B-C-C#-D-D#and so on, and there degrees.

Am i understanding this correctlly?

Now hears another?

When would i call C#,C# why not call it Db im a bit confused when you would call it C# or Db somone please explain this.

[fearceol]

I am no expert by any means, but it appears to me that you are just memorising formulas, while not understanding what they mean, and how they are formed. You might get some insight into modes by reading through this thread.

Puttin' it all together-Theory,modes,playing


Also, a good site that explains things simply is :

www.studybass.com

[ayryq]

Originally Posted by phatphillss

When would i call C#,C# why not call it Db im a bit confused when you would call it C# or Db somone please explain this.

The basic idea here is that a seven note scale should have every letter in order. So an "A" scale (any scale) should contain:
A B C D E F G A
if you are in major, it would be:
A B C# D E F# G# A
and still every letter is represented.
In Dorian,
A B C D E F# G A
If you used Db for C# in the major mode you'd have:
A B Db D E F# G# A
Which has two "D's" and no "C's"

It would screw up other things as well. Intervals, for example. A major triad has root, major third, and perfect fifth. From the (wrong) scale above, 'A' major would be A, Db, E, which is a diminished fourth and a perfect fifth. Sounds the same on a piano, but is technically wrong (and confusing to read if you come to it in sheet music).

Eric

[phatphillss]

well back to this is it ok to remember it this way

first mode of ionian=first mode of ionian
second mode of ionian=first mode of dorian
third mode of ionian=first mode of phrygian
fourth mode of ionian=first mode of lydian
fifth mode of ionian=first mode of mixolydian
sixth mode of ionian=first mode of aeolian
seventh mode of ionian = first mode of locrian

I based it off this to

ionian- w-w-h-w-w-w-h
dorian- w-h-w-w-w-h-w
phrygian- h-w-w-w-h-w-w
lydian- w-w-w-h-w-w-h
mixolydian-w-w-h-w-w-h-w
aeolian- w-h-w-w-h-w-w
locrian- h-w-w-h-w-w-w

is this wrong?

sorry im a slow learner.

[BillMason]

Originally Posted by phatphillss

well back to this is it ok to remember it this way

first mode of ionian=first mode of ionian
second mode of ionian=first mode of dorian
third mode of ionian=first mode of phrygian
fourth mode of ionian=first mode of lydian
fifth mode of ionian=first mode of mixolydian
sixth mode of ionian=first mode of aeolian
seventh mode of ionian = first mode of locrian

I based it off this to

ionian- w-w-h-w-w-w-h
dorian- w-h-w-w-w-h-w
phrygian- h-w-w-w-h-w-w
lydian- w-w-w-h-w-w-h
mixolydian-w-w-h-w-w-h-w
aeolian- w-h-w-w-h-w-w
locrian- h-w-w-h-w-w-w

is this wrong?

sorry im a slow learner.

It's not wrong, but I didn't proof read it to check your whole and half steps for each mode.

Ionian is the "Major Scale." Just remember that, and:

second=dorian
third=phrygian
fourth=lydian
fifth=mixolydian
sixth=aeolian
seventh=locrian

In time you may learn to think of them as all variations of the Ionian mode and the Aeolian mode, just with a #4, a b13, a #7 or a b7, or a b2, etc. etc. Hope that doesn't confuse more...

Eg - a Lydian is an Ionian with a #4. Mixolydian is an Ionian with a b7.

Starting out with theory though, learning to read chords is more important for bass players than is learning the modes. IMHO...

[ayryq]

Looks right to me.

I prefer (and think you'd be better off) the second method (half and whole steps) to the first (XX mode of Ionian).

If you're playing in G Lydian, you don't want to be thinking about D major for your notes (or for any other reason). You should be just thinking a major mode in G with a raised fourth.

For figuring out a mode, your first method works fine, but it's too much work and takes too long when you're actually playing.

Theory is great but it has got to be connected to music. Plunk out these scales so you can hear the modes. They each have a sound that needs to connect with the theory.

Remember that (almost) always the theory followed the music. Someone wrote music and later theorists figured out what they were doing.

Eric