This page is a work in progress. Check back soon for more!
Quick practice links:
- Major 5-note scale
- Major and minor melody patterns.
- Major I and V7 chords.
- Minor i and V7 chords.
- Minor i, iv, and V7 chords.
- Minor i, iv, v chords.
Click below for printable pdf files or video/audio where noted.
Every mode feels slightly different, and the best way to get acquainted is to listen to music in each mode. To this end, check out the YouTube playlist links for each mode — have fun, explore, pick a favorite! (Please note these playlists are public domain, and are NOT created by me, and may have varying degrees of correctness.)
For fun, check out this YouTube video of “Twinkle Little Star” in all seven classic modes (video not made be me; link navigates away from this website).
MAJOR TONALITIES
Ionian
The classic major scale everyone learns early in piano lessons. All the white notes, from C to shining C.
audio coming soon
- Pentascale – begins on “Do”
- Character Tones (above and below “home”)
- Six notes (Twinkle)
- Character Chords
- Octave Scale
Lydian
YouTube Playlist (navigates away from this website) — REM’s “Man On The Moon” opening is distinctively Lydian, with alternating major chords C and D — Fa-La-Do and Sol-Ti-Re.
audio coming soon
- Pentascale – begins on “Fa”
- Character Tones (above and below “home”)
- Six notes (Twinkle)
- Character Chords
- Octave Scale
Mixolydian
YouTube Playlist (navigates away from this website).
audio coming soon
- Pentascale – begins on “Sol”
- Character Tones (above and below “home”)
- Six notes (Twinkle)
- Character Chords
- Octave Scale
MINOR TONALITIES
Aeolian/Natural Minor
YouTube Playlist (navigates away from this website) — this playlist is made of “jam tracks,” backing rhythm/harmonies for you to improvise with.
audio coming soon
- Pentascale – begins on “La”
- Character Tones (above and below “home”)
- Six notes (Twinkle)
- Character Chords: i, iv, VII
- Character Chords contrast with Harmonic Minor: i, iv, v
- Octave Scale
Harmonic Minor
YouTube Playlist (navigates away from this website)
audio coming soon
- Pentascale – begins on “La”
- Character Tones (above and below “home”)
- Six notes (Twinkle)
- Character Chords
- i and V, root position
- i and V7, inverted
- i, iv, and V, root position
- i, iv, and V7, inverted
- Octave Scale
Dorian
YouTube Playlist (navigates away from this website)
audio coming soon
- Pentascale – begins on “Re”
- Character Tones (above and below “home”)
- Six notes (Twinkle)
- Character Chords – i – IV – bVII
- Octave Scale
Phrygian
YouTube Playlist (navigates away from this website)
Another YouTube Playlist (navigates away from this website)
audio coming soon
- Pentascale – begins on “Mi”
- Character Tones (above and below “home”)
- Six notes (Twinkle)
- Character Chords – i – bII
- Octave Scale
Locrian
This mode is very rare, because it’s “home” chord is diminished, a very unsettled and unstable feeling. It is difficult to write convincing, listenable music using the Locrian mode.
YouTube Playlist (navigates away from this page) — I have yet to find a Locrian playlist!
audio coming soon
- Pentascale – begins on “Ti”
- Character Tones (above and below “home”)
- Six notes (Twinkle)
- Character Chords
- Octave Scale
Common Bass Lines
Under construction, check back soon.