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Modes
In explaining modes, we are only going to look at how modes apply and are define inside the major scale.
The major scale, explained on it's own page at Pocket Musician, is the Ionian mode. We will use C Major for the examples of modes here.
Aeolian Mode: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A
Locrian Mode: B - C - D - E - F - G - A - B
Ionian Mode: C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C
Dorian Mode: D - E - F - G - A - B - C - D
Phrygian Mode: E - F - G - A - B - C - D - E
Lydian Mode: F - G - A - B - C - D - E - F
Mixolydian Mode: G - A - B - C - D - E - F - G
As shown from the above examples, the Aeolian Mode is built from the 6th tone of the Major Scale which makes it also the Relative Minor of the Major Scale. The Locrian Mode is built from the 7th tone. The Ionian Mode is actually the Major Scale. The Dorian Mode is built from the 2nd tone. The Phrygian Mode is built from the 3rd tone. The Lydian Mode is built from the 4th tone. The Mixolydian Mode is built from the 5th tone.
Therefore, if you take any Major Scale you can build a mode in that scale or key. For example, in the key of G Major (G Ionian), the Dorian Mode would be A Dorian and the notes would be A - B - C - D - E - F# - G - A since the notes of G Major are G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G.
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