Although these modes share the same notes as the scale from which they are
derived, when played they have subtly different sounds. Soloists often base their
improvisations on modes, and change from one mode to another as the chords
change in a song.
The different tonal qualities of the modes is a function of the relative spacing of
the notes from the beginning note. The diagram below shows the names of the
modes of major scales, the notes they begin on, and the spacing of notes in the
mode. This example shows the modes of C major. However, the spacing
between notes and the mode names are the same for all the major keys.
8
A mode is a new scale derived from the notes of another scale. A mode begins
and ends on a note that belongs to the original scale and has all the same
notes as the scale from which it is derived. The difference is simply the begin-
ning note. Modes have names depending on what note of the original scale the
mode begins on. The first mode derived from the major scale begins on the first
note of the scale and is called Ionian. The Dorian mode begins on the second
note, and so on.
2.
Names of Modes
Major & Minor Scales
w
wh
w
w
w
h
Dorian
Ionian
w
w
hw
w
w
h
Phrygian
w
wh
ww
w
h
Lydian
w
wh
ww
w
h
Mixolydian
w
wh
w
w
w
h
Aeolian
w
w
hw
w
w
h
Locrian
2nd
1st
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
Major Scale
wh
w
wh
w
w
AB C
C
DE F
G
GA
B
B
CD
E
F
FG
A
A
B
C
DE
E
F
G
G
AB C
D
DE F
F
GA
B
C
CD
E
E
FG
AB
B
C
D
D
E
F
GA
Beginning
note of
major scale
D
D
DE
F
G
A
B C
D Dorian Mode
E Phrygian Mode
C Ionian Mode
w
w
w
w
w
w
h
hh
C
w
wh
w
w
DE
F
G
A
B C
EF
G
A
B C
D
E
F Lydian Mode
FG
A
B C
D
E
F
G Mixolydian Mode
GA
B C
D
E
F
F
F
F
E
E
GA
B C
GA
B C
GA
B C
GA
B C
GA
B C
A Aoelian Mode
AB C
D
E
FG
AB C
B Locrian Mode
B C
D
E
FG
A
B C
Modes of the
C Major scale
