Dean Cutinelli here from the Colorado School of Music. Remember we are just a call away to start your private music lessons. We offer guitar lessons, piano lessons, drum lessons, Violin lessons, vocal lessons as well orchestral instruments. Now on to our discussion about modes.
Modes Part 1
Today I will be discussing a basic over view of the modes part one.
There are 7 modes and each mode or scale gives you a different sound. Here are the names of each mode: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian. When analyzing the modes we will use the major scales as our tonic. A major scale is equal to the Ionian mode.
When we think of a major scale in terms of half steps and whole steps this is how the major scale is laid out: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. Again the Ionian mode is that same half whole step pattern.
Lydian mode is the first mode I’ll be discussing here. When you convert a major scale to lydian mode you will raise the 4th note in the scale one half step. In terms of steps here is how this mode is laid out: whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half. Lydian mode is a major sound or major mode. If you want to try playing this mode over a major 7th chord staring on the root of the chord it will give you a feel of what it sounds like and feels like. It is used often in jazz improvisation.
The second mode or sound I’ll be discussing is Mixolydian. When comparing this mode to a major scale we will be flatting the 7th note in the scale. In terms of steps this mode is laid out: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole. The Mixolydian mode is an ideal scale for a dominant 7th chord when starting on this scale on the root of the dominant 7th chord. A dominant 7th chord is defined as R-3rd-5th-b7th. The Mixolydian mode when compared to a major scale has a b7th which makes it a perfect match of your dominant chord. You can also try this mode over a major chord. This will give you a hip sound over that major chord.
Next month I will be discussing the other 4 modes and breaking them down on when to use them.
Feel free to come in to the Colorado School of Music and take a lesson. We offer guitar lessons, piano lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons and vocal lessons as wells as orchestral instruments.
Thank You for reading!
