What Are Music Modes? (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aoelian, Locrian)

Let's base everything off of the key of C major:
Ionian = C D E F G A B C
Dorian = D E F G A B C D
Pgrygian = E F G A B C D E
Lydian = F G A B C D E F
Mixolydian = G A B C D E F G
Aoelian = A B C D E F G A
Locrian = B C D E F G A B

Ionian Mode = major scale (do re mi fa sol la ti do)
Aoelian Mode = minor scale (la ti do re mi fa sol la)

Notice how Modes in Music are ALL based in the SAME key signature. So, if we were to base it off of the key of E Major, it would be:

Let's base everything off of the key of C major:
Ionian = C# D# E F# G# A B C
Dorian = D E F# G# A B C# D#
Pgrygian = E F# G# A B C# D# E
Lydian = F# G# A B C# D# E F#
Mixolydian = G# A B C# D# E F# G#
Aoelian = A B C# D# E F# G# A
Locrian = B C# D# E F# G# A B

More tutorials IN ORDER at http://waltribeiro.net

Why should I learn modes?
Every mode has its own sound. And that gives you more options. I understand its difficult to understand. But when you know more, then you have more options for your songwriting and soloing.

Have a bass player pedal tone on one the root of the mode, and simple play over the scale and 'hear' how the sound changes.

An E Phrygian is in a different key and scale and sound than an E major scale.

Good luck and if there are any questions let me know!

-Walt

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Music Modes
• Ionian
• Dorian
• Phrygian
• Lydian
• Mixolydian
• Aeolian
• Locrian
• Guitar Lessons
• Scale

[lansing789]

On your website what is the title name of the video that like starts off the introduction for the modes? I looked through and cannot find it.

[waltribeiro]

@lansing789 i have over 400. Not sure :(

[albertolucas3]

what would it be a good mode for Rock music???

[waltribeiro]

@albertolucas3 depends what sound you're going for. See what works!

[lansing789]

@waltribeiro Do you have like a solid first video introduction of music modes?

[waltribeiro]

@lansing789 yep, my website (my name) has them in order

[RBolt07]

@714bari The use of different modes literaly adds a different "mood" to a song. Different modes just flow differently.

[bebiro]

On 4:42, i dont understand why the progression you play (E F G), fits in a dorian mode that sounds like a spanish song... is it a dorian mode on D? Any key note on the dorian mode sounds like a spanish song?

Thank you, Ive been interested in this for a long time and any video could explain clearly as yours..

[opiemonster]

This video is ambiguous as to what modes are.

c ionian = c major over c major

c dorian = c major over d major

c phrygian = c major over g# major

etc...

what you are saying is c ionian = c dorian. No c dorian is d major

if you don't believe me, then play e major over d major ( that makes e minor)

[liamthomas93]

brilliantly made video, you obviously know what you're talking about.. but it still makes literally no sense to me :L surely a mode only makes a difference to the sound when you play it in order as you did during that video? example, if i'm playing over a backing track in E, and improvising over it, i'm not gonna be playing the notes in the order of the scale. like if i'm supposedly playing in the Dorian mode, i'm not gonna just play F# G# A B C# D# E F# over and over so whats the difference? :S

[njd247365]

Walt i love your videos! You make learning music fun and easy. Please keep doing it EVERY SINGLE DAY and thanks a million : )

[714bari]

What is the reason for the modes? I never understood that.