The seven modes

C Ionian (major)

The white keys from C to C — the first degree of C major as the root.

Notes

C D E F G A B

Signature

none — this is the major scale

Typical progression

I–IV–V–I: C – F – G – C

The major scale itself. Bright, settled, at home.

C Ionian with shapes and keyboard

D Dorian

The white keys from D to D — the second degree of C major as the root.

Notes

D E F G A B C

Signature

major 6 — unlike minor

Typical progression

i–IV–i–IV: Dm – G – Dm – G

Minor with a major sixth: dark but not sad. Jazz (»So What«), folk (»Scarborough Fair«), a lot of funk.

D Dorian with shapes and keyboard

E Phrygian

The white keys from E to E — the third degree of C major as the root.

Notes

E F G A B C D

Signature

♭2 — unlike minor

Typical progression

i–♭II–i–♭II: Em – F – Em – F

Minor with a minor second: Spanish, dark, flamenco and metal. The semitone right above the root is the signature.

E Phrygian with shapes and keyboard

F Lydian

The white keys from F to F — the fourth degree of C major as the root.

Notes

F G A B C D E

Signature

♯4 — unlike major

Typical progression

I–II–I–II: F – G – F – G

Major with an augmented fourth: floating, dreamy, film music. The Simpsons theme opens in Lydian.

F Lydian with shapes and keyboard

G Mixolydian

The white keys from G to G — the fifth degree of C major as the root.

Notes

G A B C D E F

Signature

♭7 — unlike major

Typical progression

I–♭VII–IV–I: G – F – C – G

Major with a minor seventh: blues, rock, bagpipes. The progression I–♭VII–IV is the sound of »Sweet Home Alabama«.

G Mixolydian with shapes and keyboard

A Aeolian (natural minor)

The white keys from A to A — the sixth degree of C major as the root.

Notes

A B C D E F G

Signature

♭6 and ♭7 — natural minor

Typical progression

i–♭VI–♭VII–i: Am – F – G – Am

Natural minor: sad, serious, the minor scale without raised degrees.

A Aeolian with shapes and keyboard

B Locrian

The white keys from B to B — the seventh degree of C major as the root.

Notes

B C D E F G A

Signature

♭2 and ♭5 — the tonic chord is diminished

Typical progression

i°–♭II–i°–♭II: Bdim – C – Bdim – C

Minor with a minor second and a diminished fifth: the tonic chord is diminished, nothing rests. Almost unused as a key, used as a colour in metal.

B Locrian with shapes and keyboard

All seven on C

On the same root the difference is easiest to hear: highlighted is what departs from major. Dorian, Phrygian, Aeolian and Locrian have a minor third (minor family), Ionian, Lydian and Mixolydian a major third (major family).

From bright to dark

Every raised degree makes a mode brighter, every lowered one darker. Lydian is the only one with a raised degree, Locrian has five lowered ones:

Lydian › Ionian › Mixolydian › Dorian › Aeolian › Phrygian › Locrian

How to tell which mode it is

First find the root — the note the piece rests on, usually the bass of the first and last chord. Then the third above it: minor means the minor family, major the major family. Then the signature note: a major sixth over minor is Dorian, a minor second Phrygian, a raised fourth over major Lydian, a minor seventh Mixolydian. If you would rather hear than count: ear training.