MUSIC MODES DEMYSTIFIED

Music modes can be daunting to approach.

Although they really are just “scales”, they seem to hold some kind of mystery.

Here are some rudiments:

There are different types of modes:

THE MAJOR MODES AND THE MINOR MODES

The major modes are derived from the major scales.

The minor modes are derived from the melodic minor ascending scales, (they are used for jazz improvisation), and also from the harmonic minor scales.

The Major Modes are “scales” derived from the major scales.

Let’s take a look at the major modes derived from the major scale:

They are called in order:

You must know that a scale of music is composed of notes that follow an Intervallic pattern.

The major scale follows this pattern:
T=tone, ST= semi-tone
E.g.

© ® DECODAMODE

E.g. Follow this pattern using the scale of F and you will get:

This is also the first major mode called the IONIAN MODE

Now start with F on the second step of the pattern, following this intervallic pattern, you get:

This is the second major mode called the DORIAN MODE

Then one step further still:

* The notes in green show the notes that are not included in the F major scale

You would get the third major mode called the PHRYGIAN MODE

By now you may have noticed what is happening: although you are starting on the same note you are using different notes from the F scale.

WHY?

Because although you are following the same intervallic pattern, you are starting at different points in the pattern.

You must also have noticed that the notes you are getting in the Dorian mode are the notes of the Eb Major scale, and the notes in the Phygian mode are the notes of the Db Major scale.

Apply the pattern to the rest of the modes.

© ® DECODAMODE

Table of intervallic patterns for the Major Modes. (I have colour coded it as it is easier to follow the progression in the pattern)

The same can be applied for the MINOR MODES using the intervallic pattern of the melodic minor ascending scale:

And the intervallic pattern of the harmonic minor scale:

Now, APPLYING THE appropriate PATTERN off the top of your head is difficult when you are first starting to study modes. It will become easier as you get familiar with them*.

When I started studying the modes, I thought there had to be an easier and faster way to work them out. So, I developed the prototype of a reference tool that became the DECODAMODE® SCALE AND MODE DECODER, and started using it in my study of jazz improvisation.

It was great; it gave me more time to practice my instrument and experiment with actually using the modes instead of spending hours trying to work them out. Along with some jazz theory, it opened the door to a whole world of possibilities in music creativity. Decodamode¨ will be the essential tool in assisting you in your study of improvisation as it will also give you clues on what modes to use for a particular chord.
e.g. G7#4 you would try mode IV (Lydian dominant) of the Melodic Minor Ascending Scale and so on…

There are numerous sites giving free modal theory lessons and some excellent jazz theory books available. I have included a few, so check the links page.

CLICK HERE FOR ANIMATED DEMO