A question about modes

[joebar]

I think when you establish your tonal centre-that's when the modes will make sense. It is best to think of a song in The tonality of E and then accept whatever notes/ chords work within the song context. Don't try to match up the notes to a scale because often, there isn't a scale that includes all notes used. I like Spin Doc's comment about separate rules for blues and the use of dominant chords throughout the genre

 

[HolmeBass]

Hmmm. If you do that, then what tells you that the bassline comes from E Mixolydian? Notating it in A makes musical sense to me.

That fact that the first chord in the song is E, probably the last chord is too, and that the tonal center, as in the tone the song resolves to, is E. All of these kinds of considerations go into determining a tonal center (which to me is more of inclusive than the more restrictive "key"). Although in practice, if someone asked, "What's it in?" I would answer, "E." If I then heard a bunch of D#'s I would clarify "E mixolydian" and if they gave me a blank stare I'd the n say, "E7."

 

[Nickweissmusic]

so lets just use the key of c for example

C d e f g a b c is C ionian

D e f g a b c d is D dorian correct?

Is that Mode called D dorian? Or is it the dorian mode of the c scale? Or are you just sposed to know by D dorian that ur in the key of c bc d is the second step of the c major scale?

Second question are the mode "box shapes" the same for both major and minor keys?

It's D Dorian, it's good to know that it's derived from C Major but not necessary for naming. The mode shapes/names do not change whether you are in a major or minor key.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

Here's a Rosetta Stone of sorts for figuring this out. The most handy column for me was learning the "alterations with respect to (w.r.t) major," for instance to build a G dorian mode, start with a G major scale and flat the 3 and 7. I'll make another post in the instruction forum with a better formatted image.

 

[Baltimore Bass]

Good choice of song... I've always loved that bassline.