Major Scale Modes

Presented here in the ascending order of accidentals with the same starting note.

1. Practice patiently every day with a steady metronome/or drum loop

2. Try to derive clear phrases

3. Don’t try to play all the modes at ones, pick one per day

4. Try a different key, other than the one given as an example starting point here

5. The key is to familiarize yourself with different sound clusters these varied intervals create so that you can recognize the sound of each mode instantly when you hear it

Ionian Mode (1st mode of the major scale)

1	2	3	4	5	6	7

i.e. C major scale would be C, D, E, F, G, A, B and fit over a simple C triad

Mixolydian Mode (5th mode of the major scale)

1	2	3	4	5	6	♭7

i.e. C Mixolydian mode would be C, D, E, F, G, A, ♭B and fit over C7

Lydian Mode (4th mode of the major scale)

1	2	3	4♯	5	6	7

i.e. C Lydian mode would be C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B and fit over CMaj7

Dorian Mode (2nd mode of major scale)

1	2	♭3	4	5	6	♭7

i.e. C Dorian mode would be C, D, ♭E, F, G, A, ♭B and fit over Cm7

Aeolian Mode (6th mode of major scale)

1	2	♭3	4	5	♭6	♭7

i.e. C Aeolian mode would be C, D, ♭E, F, G, ♭A, ♭B and fit over Cm7

Phrygian Mode (3rd mode of major scale)

1	♭2	♭3	4	5	♭6	♭7

i.e. C Phrygian mode would be C, ♭D, ♭E, F, G, ♭A, ♭B and can fit over Cm7 or C7sus♭9

Locrian Mode (7th mode of the major scale)

1	♭2	♭3	4	♭5	♭6	♭7

i.e. C Locrian mode would be C, ♭D, ♭E, F, ♭G, ♭A, ♭B and fit over Cm7♭5