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Modes PDF

The document outlines two approaches to learning musical modes: Derivative and Parallel. The Derivative approach involves creating seven modes from a major scale by starting on each scale degree, while the Parallel approach involves altering a major scale to form new modes. Examples using the C Major Scale illustrate both methods and the specific notes for each mode.

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Wayne White
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17 views2 pages

Modes PDF

The document outlines two approaches to learning musical modes: Derivative and Parallel. The Derivative approach involves creating seven modes from a major scale by starting on each scale degree, while the Parallel approach involves altering a major scale to form new modes. Examples using the C Major Scale illustrate both methods and the specific notes for each mode.

Uploaded by

Wayne White
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modes: Derivative vs.

Parallel

There are 2 di erent approaches of learning modes: Derivative & Parallel.

Derivative (Diatonic): 7 Modes that are “derived” from a key’s Major Scale.
For example: taking a C Major Scale and forming 7 Modes by starting on each
of the 7 scale degrees of the C Major Scale and only using the notes of that key.

Let’s take a C Major Scale and form 7 Modes by starting on each scale
degree.

1. Starting a C Major Scale on the 1st degree creates a major sounding mode
called C Ionian. It contains: C D E F G A B

2. Starting a C Major Scale on the 2nd degree creates a minor sounding mode
called D Dorian. It contains: D E F G A B C

3. Starting a C Major Scale on the 3rd degree creates a minor sounding mode
called E Phrygian. It contains: E F G A B C D

4. Starting a C Major Scale on the 4th degree creates a major sounding mode
called F Lydian. It contains: F G A B C D E

5. Starting a C Major Scale on the 5th degree creates a major sounding mode
called G Mixolydian. It contains: G A B C D E F

6. Starting a C Major Scale on the 6th degree creates a minor sounding mode
called A Aeolian. It contains: A B C D E F G

7. Starting a C Major Scale on the 7th degree creates a minor sounding mode
called B Locrian. It contains: B C D E F G A

C Ionian C D E F G A B
D Dorian D E F G A B C
E Phrygian E F G A B C D
F Lydian F G A B C D E
G Mixolydian G A B C D E F
A Aeolian A B C D E F G
B Locrian B C D E F G A
ff
Parallel: Altering a Major Scale (parent scale) to form the new mode. For
example: taking a C Major Scale and altering it to form a C Dorian Mode or
C Phrygian Mode, etc.

Ionian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Dorian 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

Phrygian 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

Lydian 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7

Mixolydian 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7

Aeolian 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

Locrian 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7

Parallel Approach for Modes built o the root C


Note Function 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C Ionian C D E F G A B

Note Function 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
C Dorian C D Eb F G A Bb

Note Function 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
C Phrygian C Db Eb F G Ab Bb

Note Function 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
C Lydian C D E F# G A B

Note Function 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
C Mixolydian C D E F G A Bb

Note Function 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
C Aeolian C D Eb F G Ab Bb

Note Function 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
C Locrian C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb
ff

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