7 modes of the Major Scale

Question

Can someone clarify each of the scale modes (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian)?

I am not sure how to identify them or how to construct each type. (Creating for example, a D Major scale in Lydian mode)

I'm preparing for the CM Music Theory Test, so this would really help!

Answer 1

Hi Elizabeth, good question! Each mode can be thought of starting on a different pitch of our major scale. For now let's keep it simple and stay in C Major.

Ionian - Starts on scale degree 1. C D E F G A B C. Identical to our C major scale.

Dorian - Starts on scale degree 2. D E F G A B C D. Similar to a natural D minor scale but with a raised 6th.

Phrygian - Starts on scale degree 3. E F G A B C D E. Similar to a natural E minor scale but with a lowered 2nd.

Lydian - Starts on scale degree 4. F G A B C D E F. Similar to a F major scale but with a raised fourth.

Mixolydian - Starts on scale degree 5. G A B C D E F G. Similar to a G major scale but with a lowered seventh.

Aeolian - Starts on scale degree 6. A B C D E F G A. Same as our A natural minor scale.

Locrian - Starts on scale degree 7. B C D E F G A B. This is a weird one. It's almost never used, but we still need to know it. It's really just a scale built around a diminished triad (B D F).

So back to your question: if you wanted to write a Lydian mode based off of a D Major scale, you would simply write a D Major scale but start on the fourth scale degree (G A B C# D E F# G).

It's also important when analyzing music to be able to identify which mode is being used. Let's say that you're assigned a piece of music that was composed with the scale E F# G# A B C# D E. What mode would you say that this piece is in? To figure that out, we would first need to identify the key signature. I see three sharps (F# G# and C#). I know this is the key signature for A major. I also already know my starting note is E. Because E is the fifth scale degree of A Major, and our Mixolydian mode begins on the fifth scale degree, that would mean the piece is written in E Mixolydian.

To recap:

1) Identify the key signature

2) Identify the starting note of the mode

3) Figure out what scale degree is the starting note of the mode

I hope this helps!

Johan

Answer 2

Ionian - Major scale (ex. C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C)

Dorian - Minor scale with a lower third and seventh note (C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb, C)

Phrygian - Major scale with the second, third, sixth and seventh notes lowered (C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C)

Lydian - Major scale with a note raised by a fourth (C, D, E, F#, G, A, B, C)

Mixolydian - Major Scale with a note lowered by a seventh (C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C)

Aeolian - Minor scale with a lowered third, sixth and seventh (C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C)

Locrian - Minor scale with everything lowered except the root of the scale (C, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, C)

To answer your question on D Lydian, you have to raise the G up to a G#, since Lydian mode is a major scale with a raise fourth (G is the fourth note on the D Major scale. So, it has to be raised by a half step, if that makes sense.)

Answer 3

Sure! I’d be happy to help clarify the 7 modes of the major scale. Each mode is a type of scale that starts on a different degree (note) of the major scale. They each have a unique pattern of whole and half steps, which gives them their own sound or “flavor.”

Let’s break them down in order, using C major as our reference (C-D-E-F-G-A-B):

1. Ionian – This is the major scale.

1. Pattern: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
2. Example: C Ionian = C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
3. Sound: Bright and happy

2. Dorian – Starts on the 2nd degree of the major scale.

1. Pattern: W-H-W-W-W-H-W
2. Example: D Dorian = D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D (same notes as C major)
3. Compared to D major: ♭3 and ♭7
4. Sound: Minor-ish, but a bit jazzy or soulful

3. Phrygian – Starts on the 3rd degree.

1. Pattern: H-W-W-W-H-W-W
2. Example: E Phrygian = E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E
3. Compared to E major: ♭2, ♭3, ♭6, ♭7
4. Sound: Dark, Spanish, or exotic

4. Lydian – Starts on the 4th degree.

1. Pattern: W-W-W-H-W-W-H
2. Example: F Lydian = F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F
3. Compared to F major: ♯4
4. Sound: Dreamy, bright, floating

5. Mixolydian – Starts on the 5th degree.

1. Pattern: W-W-H-W-W-H-W
2. Example: G Mixolydian = G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G
3. Compared to G major: ♭7
4. Sound: Bluesy, rock, funky

6. Aeolian – This is the natural minor scale, starting on the 6th degree.

1. Pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
2. Example: A Aeolian = A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A
3. Sound: Sad or emotional

7. Locrian – Starts on the 7th degree.

1. Pattern: H-W-W-H-W-W-W
2. Example: B Locrian = B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B
3. Compared to B major: ♭2, ♭3, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
4. Sound: Very unstable or dissonant (used less often)

How to Build a Mode from Any Root

Use the major scale of the mode’s parent key, but start on the correct degree.

Example: D Lydian

1. Lydian = 4th mode → So what major scale has D as the 4th note?
2. Answer: A major → A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#
3. So: D Lydian = D-E-F#-G#-A-B-C#-D

Quick Tip: Think of modes like flavors of the major scale. You’re using the same 7 notes but starting in different places, which changes the mood of the music.