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Modal Scales:
Much of western music is based upon the
Modal
system.
The modes are very easily derived.
The following will outline a method for deriving the modes of a scale.
We successfully constructed a scale of 7th chords for the C major
scale/C Ionian mode.
The modes of the major scale start with Ionian and are often referred
to as the ‘Ionian modes’. This can get a little confusing when the same
word refers to both the first degree of the system and also the
system itself.
For consistency, we will refer to the system of modes as simply
‘the modes.’ When talking about a specific mode, we will specify the
root note and the name of the mode.
For example:
C Ionian, F# Mixolydian, A Lydian, etc.
The C major scale/C Ionian has seven degrees.
C, D, E, F, G, A, B
.
Each of these degrees of the scale has its own mode.
The first mode is
Ionian
.
In this case
C Ionian
.
The modes are:
Ionian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolian
Locrian