The study of modes helps musicians classify and refer to different types of musical sound in the same way that colors allow us to describe spectrums of hue, brightness and saturation. In the same way, C Dorian also has a tonic note of C, but the Dorian mode provides its own unique harmonic palette. For example, music composed in C Lydian has a tonic note of C and uses chords drawn from the C Lydian mode. Instead, the words mode or modal are used to describe music in which the melody and harmony are drawn from a particular mode. The word “keys” is in quotes because that word is generally not used outside of traditional major and minor contexts. We can actually play in “keys” derived from each mode. In other words, not all melodies and chord progressions are derived from major and minor scales. In many cases, this music employs musical modes other than Ionian or Aeolian. If you’ve ever heard music from outside of your native culture, you’ve also probably concluded that there must be other tonal systems that explain how this music differs from the music you are accustomed to hearing. When considering tonal music and the study of modes, there is a helpful question to ponder upfront: Are major and minor the only possible tonal systems? Similarly, minor tonality comes from one or more of the minor scales. In other words, music in a major key is derived from a major scale. Consider for a moment that the major scale gives us major tonality. Modes of the C Major Scale The C major scale and its modes: C Ionian, D Dorian, E Phrygian, F Lydian, G Mixolydian, A Aeolian and B Locrian. It is important to note that even though C Major is the source scale, each mode is named for its starting pitch… not its source. The seven modes of the C Major Scale are shown below. The modes for each degree of the major scale are assigned the following Greek names: (1) Ionian, (2) Dorian, (3) Phrygian, (4) Lydian, (5) Mixolydian, (6) Aeolian and (7) Locrian. While this principle can apply to any type of source scale, musical modes are most commonly associated with the seven modes of the major scale. Modes are scales formed by starting on a different degrees of a source scale or parent scale. Each mode is formed by starting on a different degree of a “parent” scale. In fact, there are seven modes in modern musical practice. Likewise, the natural minor scale is also called Aeolian mode. Specifically, the Ionian mode is another name for the major scale. In fact, you probably already know at least one mode quite well, albeit by a different name. Perhaps you have never heard of modes at all? If that’s case, it’s important to state upfront that modes are scales. Either way, today’s lesson on Piano Musical Modes: The Complete Guide will help you get beyond the cold glass shield to the where reality resides. Or maybe your last encounter left you scratching your head. Perhaps you have little or no prior knowledge about musical modes.
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