What is an easy way to remember the music modes?

Answer 1

Julian's answer regarding remembering the names of the modes is very helpful. I would add that remembering how to perform them or utilize them in a composition just comes down to repetitive practice. Practicing the modes on your main instrument, just like you would practicing any other scales, will get them in your fingers for performance. Learning the structure and characteristics of each mode through study will get them in your brain and ears for writing purposes. It's a bit like learning the multiplication tables.

For study purposes it helps to remember that some of the modes are "major like" and some are "minor like", but they are off of the major or minor by a flat or sharp.

"Major Like" modes -

Lydian - Major scale with a sharp 4th scale degree

Mixolydian - Major scale with flat 7th scale degree

"Minor Like" modes -

Dorian - Minor scale with sharp 6th scale degree

Phrygian - Minor scale with flat 2nd scale degree

Locrian - Minor scale with flat 2nd and flat 4th

Ionian is a Major scale

Aeolean is the Natural Minor scale

Answer 2

The easiest way I have used to remember the music modes is the phrase "I Don't Particularly Like My Aunt Lucy" for Ionian Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian Aeolian Locrian. To remember which "L" is which, I remember it as being reverse-alphabetical, which is what you wouldn't expect.

Another helpful thing to remember is that Aeolian is the same as natural minor, which is based on the 6th scale degree. You can use this tip to help double check yourself.

Answer 3

There are seven musical modes on a major scale. (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian) Sometimes, it can be tricky memorizing them in order, so here's my tip.

If we take the first letter of each mode and apply them together, we would make a simple sentence like this:

I

Do

Play

Live

Music

At

London

You can also try to create your own sentence.