Modes - Part 2 - Intermediate

The Seven Major Scale Modes - A Basic Introduction to Sounds, Chords & Formulas

Continuing from where we left off in Part 1 of this series on Modes, this tutorial will examine the moods we can create with each mode, how to begin to play the modes, and also the basic understanding of scale formulas.

Different Moods

In the last lesson, we discovered that modes are scales hidden within the Major scale. We also learnt that modes can simply be explained as moods. By selecting the appropriate notes within the major scale, we can create a mood (happy, sad, melancholy, sinister, etc.), which in turn will generate an emotional response from the listener. We were also introduced to the names of the seven major scale modes, in order of darkest to brightest sounding mood.

Here is a bit more detail regarding the moods (darkest to brightest) that these modes evoke;

Locrian = Dark/Sinister
Phrygian = Spanish/Exotic sounding
Aeolian = Sad/Melancholy
Dorian = Jazzy/Dark with a Bright Edge
Mixolydian = Bluesy/Soulful/Light & Shade
Ionian = Happy/Joyful
Lydian = Bright/Airy/Mysterious

Please note: Before you read on, do make sure that you have a complete grasp of the seven major scale shapes introduced last lesson, including knowledge of the C root notes in all shapes.

How do we play a mode?

To conjure up any of the seven modes, you will now need to start to thoroughly learn the names of the notes in each of the seven major scale positions. This will take time. Don't worry if this isn't completely mastered yet, as long as you are making the effort to do so (you can refer to last lesson's worksheets during this tutorial - study the middle column). Ok, so here is the simple explaination of how to create a mode.

The C major scale consists of seven notes, C D E F G A B C (the last C does not count as a new note, it is there to demonstrate where the scale ends and then begins again). To create a mode from within the C major scale, we can start on any one of the remaining six notes (D E F G A B) and play seven notes from the note chosen. For example, we could play from D to D (D E F G A B C D), or E to E (E F G A B C D E), etc.

The two TAB sheets below illustrate how we can play each mode in a very simple way. Each of the seven C major scale positions begins on one of the seven notes of the C major scale (either C, D, E, F, G, A, or B). By rooting (starting and focusing upon) each one of these notes, we create each of the modes.

Note: TAB is a convenient tool for playing music, but unfortunately an inferior way of understanding the theory presented here. This is why having an excellent knowledge of where the notes are on the fingerboard is so essential, and why I am again stressing that you need to know what notes you are playing when you use the C major scale (and any other). Sight reading (reading music) helps greatly (I'm not going to go on about the merits of music reading here - I'll leave that for another tutorial on another day!).

To get a true idea of the sound of each mode, playing each of the above scales over a backing track of some sort will help greatly. Of course, using any old chord progression (series of chord changes) is not nescessarily going to work. We need to know which chords work with each mode.

Now take a look at the following worksheet. The sheet contains two tables. The first table names each mode, it's root note (the note it is named after), and the notes contained within it. It also describes the basic chord (triad) that the mode can be played over.

TASK 1: Record seven individual backing tracks (on your computer, a tape recorder, even your mobile phone will do - we're not looking for Abbey Road production here!). Choose the chord in the table that relates to the mode you wish to practice. For example; D minor for D Dorian, E minor for E Phrygian, F Major for F Lydian, etc. Each backing track should last at least 4 minutes or more in length to give you time to play and experiment with the mode in question. Now play the selected mode over the backing. Pause on it's root note (the note it is named after) to get your ear acustomed to it's sound. Experiment and jam, but try to arrive back at the root note to resolve phrases (later we will look at more advanced ways of creating licks).

Task 2: The second table lists the notes of the major scale. It also lists the formula of the scale. The formula is simply a way of numbering the notes of scales, arpeggios and chords. Formulas use Arabic numerals, in the case of the major scale these are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The table also lists the basic triad (three note chord) and 7th chord (four note chord) that can be built from each of these notes. The chords are described by Roman Numerals (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, and vii).

All of the chords can be used with any of the modes. The only rule is, you must center your chord progression around the root chord (see table 1). Emphasise (play more of) the root chord than any of the others. Start the chord pattern on the root chord. End on it too. Record a progression using a series of chords, starting on the root chord related to the mode you wish to play (i.e.; D minor for D Dorian, E minor for E Phrygian, F major for F Lydian, etc.). Now play the scale over the top of the progression as described in task 1.

Also, memorize the names of the chords and their related formula and roman numeric names. This will be essential for later lessons.

Right, that's it for now. Any questions, please do leave a comment and I will help clarify any confusion!

Extra Task: The next mode lesson will be coming shortly, where we will be looking at individual modes and how to get the best out of them. Between now an then, study the C major scale positions and try to find pentatonic shapes within them. It's a bit like one of those wordsearch puzzles! Find A minor, D minor and E minor pentatonic (shapes 1 to 5). For those of you familiar with the major pentatonic, can you spot the C major pentatonic? What about F major and G major pentatonic too? (shapes 1 to 5 also). Can't wait to show you how to get some excellent and cool sounds using these shapes and scales! All will be revealed...


VIDEO/AUDIO TO FOLLOW SHORTLY