The Modes Explained - Joe Goose

[Joe Ricardo]

Hi
If anyone is interested in learning and understanding what the Modes are about, I have a webpage with free videos and lessons to help you along.
Please visit:
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This is just a fun free project of mine, so if anyone gets any use or benefits from this I am more than happy!


Thx

 

[worxforme]

That's cool Joe. I like the way you explained the modes as chords you play as a scale.

 

[LordDog]

Wow, thanks Joe, I was struggling with some of this over the last few days, so it's very timely and useful stuff

 

[LordDog]

Having looked at this again, just to make sure that I understand it correctly, does the principal of moving through the modes apply in any key?

For example, if I chose F# instead of C as the key, would I then play like this:

I - F# - Ionian
ii - G# - Dorian
iii - A# - Phrygian
IV - B - Lydian
V - C# - Mixolydian
vi - D# - Aeolian
vii - F - Locrian

I'm guessing that the principal with the chords would also be the same in any Major key; Maj7, min7, min7, Maj7, Dom, min7, min7(b5).

I hope I've got this right? If not please!

 

[Joe Ricardo]

Yes that's exactly right!
The way to learn the modes and keys is to use the cycle of 5ths / 4ths.
In fact that's a great Idea for the next lesson!
If you visit my site I have put a couple of new lessons expanding on intervals and there relation to the modes etc.
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Let me know if you need any further help
Joe

 

[INTP]

Having looked at this again, just to make sure that I understand it correctly, does the principal of moving through the modes apply in any key?

For example, if I chose F# instead of C as the key, would I then play like this:

I - F# - Ionian
ii - G# - Dorian
iii - A# - Phrygian
IV - B - Lydian
V - C# - Mixolydian
vi - D# - Aeolian
vii - F - Locrian

I'm guessing that the principal with the chords would also be the same in any Major key; Maj7, min7, min7, Maj7, Dom, min7, min7(b5).

I hope I've got this right? If not please!

You're on the right track, but for F# major, the last one should be E#:

I - F# - Ionian
ii - G# - Dorian
iii - A# - Phrygian
IV - B - Lydian
V - C# - Mixolydian
vi - D# - Aeolian
vii - E# - Locrian

The reason is that if you write out the notes, there should be one for each letter, e.g.:
E# F# G# A# B C# D#

For that matter, F# Ionian would be:
F# G# A# B C# D# E#
not
F# G# A# B C# D# F

 

[LordDog]

Thanks again Joe, and for the new lessons

@INTP - I see where you're going, but I though that there was no E# (or B#)? A whole step up from D# would therefore be F, the last half step would then take you back to F# for the octave, following the W-W-H-W-W-W-H major scale pattern, unless I misunderstood something

 

[milesontheroad]

Every scale letter must be there, in order. That explains the occasional double flat and double sharp. E sharp sounds the same as F, but in an F sharp scale it must be written E sharp.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Thanks again Joe, and for the new lessons

@INTP - I see where you're going, but I though that there was no E#? A whole step up from D# would therefore be F, the last half step would then take you back to F# for the octave, following the W-W-H-W-W-W-H major scale pattern, unless I misunderstood something

There has to be one letter represented in a diatonic scale, so in this instance the F would be called an E sharp. The way you notated it leaves you with two F's. I hope that clears it up.

I don't need this particular lesson but I appreciate the effort and I enjoy your playing Joe.

 

[LordDog]

Thanks for that guys; that was all new to me, so I learned something important there.

When I was learning guitar years ago, the first thing the teacher said when teaching scales was that there was no such thing as B# or E#, so it just stuck I guess