Modes of Scale in Music

If you are a beginner, you would hear the word ‘scale’ thrown around alot! So before we get into Modes of Scale or Major or Minor Modes, let’s begin with “What is a Scale in Music”

What is scale in music?

A scale is a bunch of musical notes in ascending or descending order with a particular interval pattern. Scales are the foundation for chords, harmonies, or any melody in music. Scales also give you an idea of the relationship between different pitches in a melody. It also comes handy when you try to read music.
Each note in a scale has an interval inserted between them. That’s what determines the sound of a scale which brings us to the different modes of a Musical scale.

What is the meaning of Musical Modes?

In simple words, musical modes are a type of scales with specific arrangement of interval patterns. These scales are made up of Whole Steps and Half Steps. Modes of a Musical scale are used in a wide range of musical concepts influencing the chords, melodies and harmonies.

Modes have a long history in Western music that dates back to Greek musical philosophy. They came into existence throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when they were essential to both religious and popular music. Modes endured throughout the evolution of music, adjusting to different stylistic shifts and ultimately impacting genres like jazz, rock, and more.

What are the Modes of the Musical Scale?

Let’s now look at the different Major and Minor Modes. There are 7 Modes of Major scale.

• Ionian Mode
• Dorian Mode
• Phrygian Mode
• Lydian Mode
• Mixolydian Mode
• Aeolian Mode
• Locrian Mode

1. Ionian Mode

The Ionian Mode of musical scale is the same as the major scale that you have learnt in the beginning of your music lessons. It begins and ends with a Tonic or the first degree of a major scale. Usually, this major mode sounds bright and cheerful.

Formula: W W H W W W H or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

C D E F G A B C.

2. Dorian Mode

With reference to the major, the Dorian Mode starts on the second degree of a major scale. Its third degree and the sixth is reduced by a semitone and this gives it a feel of a minor scale.

Formula:

W W H W W H W or 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7

D E F G A B C D

3. Phrygian Mode

The Phrygian mode of a musical scale begins at the third degree of a major scale.
This sounds almost as if a natural minor scale except with a minor second on the second degree. Now this flattened 2nd degree gives this mode a middle eastern musical flavor. Spanish music also has influences of Phrygian Mode of scales

Formula: H W W W H W W or 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7

E F G A B C D E

4. Lydian Mode

Starting from the fourth degree of a Major scale, the Lydian mode of a musical scale sounds bright and breezy. The fourth degree in this mode is raised by a semitone. You can see that lots of composers use this mode of musical scale in the movie’s background score.

Formula: W W W H W W H or 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7

F G A B C D E F

5. Mixolydian Mode

Mixolydian mode begins at the fifth degree of a majors scale. The seventh is flattened by a semitone and this property gives this mode a jazzy feel. Most Jazz, Blues and Folk music uses this Mixolydian Mode.

Formula: W W H W W H W or 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7

G A B C D E F G

6. Aeolian Mode

Aeolian mode is known as the natural minor scale in Music. It’s also a very commonly used Mode of Musical Scale. It begins in the sixth degree of the major scale and the third, sixth and seventh degrees are flattened by a semitone. This mode sets a sad and a sorrowful mood and is suitable for almost all the genres of music.

Formula: W H W W H W W or 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

A B C D E F G A

7. Locrian Mode

Locrian Mode begins at the seventh degree of a major scale. This one mode is rarely used by the musicians because it sounds dissonant. The second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh degrees are flattened by a semitone and this makes it sound dark.

Formula: H W W H W W W or 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7

B C D E F G A B

Phrygian, Aeolian, Dorian and Locrian modes are Minor modes.

History of Musical Modes

Musical modes have an important part played in Western Music Theory then and now. It has a deep impact on melodies, harmonies and other aspects of music.
So Greek music brought out the idea of modes from a concept called “Diatonic Genus,” one of the three significant musical scales of Greek music.

Christian church music used modes in the medieval times. It was used in chanting of religious prayers at the churches. Musical modes were also used in arranging melodies and harmonies in gospel music. Each mode expressed a different mood and emotions.

During the renaissance period, musical modes and cadences were commonly used in harmony arrangements.

How to apply Musical Modes in Singing?

You should start by understanding the intervals between each note in each musical mode. It’s a common mistake that we think the intervals are all the same. Best way to understand the sound of each mode is to practice the similar scales. This will make you familiar with the sound and therefore the mood or the emotion it sets upon. This inturn will help you identify the kind of mode used in songs. It’s tedious but trust me it’s fun!

You can also try reciprocating and later improvising the singers sing each mode in their song. Once you get a grip on how to use a musical mode in song, try writing 4 or 5 phrases and try composing a tune in the said mode. You can also experiment using different musical modes for the same set of the phrases. You will be able to feel the difference in mood and its emotions.

Examples of Modes of Musical Scales

Ionian Mode- Joy to the World or ‘Happy Birthday to you’

Dorian Mode- Scarborough Fair by Simon and Garfunkel

Phrygian Mode- ‘Whenever I May Roam’ by Metallica

Lydian Mode- Man on the Moon By R.E.M

Mixolydian Mode- Beautiful By Christina Aguilera

Aeolian Mode- White Flag by Dido

Locrian Mode- Claude Debussy’s Jeaux

Closing Thoughts

Understanding modes of musical scales can help you add richness to your singing or to your composition. In conclusion, from happy Ionian mode to dark Locrian modes, each mode offers a wide variety of emotions and different colors. To learn such amazing concepts in music, Book a demo with us at MUSICMASTER Today!