Understanding The Major Modes

The Major Modes are a series of scales built off the Major Scale. A Major Scale is a 7-note
scale built of a series of intervals.

The intervallic relationships for the Major Scale are:

W = Whole Step H = Half Step

W-W-H-W-W-W-H

This is the intervallic relationship for every Major Scale (Ionian). Within the Major Modes the
Major Scale is often referred to as the Ionian Scale.

If you build a new scale off each degree of the Major/Ionian scale you find a series of new
scales.
There are 7-notes within the Ionian Scale, so there are 6 new Scales to be built from this.

The Major 3rd, Perfect 5th and the Major 7th degrees make this scale a Major scale.

Each new Scale, although containing the same notes, have there own intervallic relationship
and special sound. These new scales built off the Ionian Scale are called the Major Modes.

C Major / Ionian Scale

The Major Scale is built off a series of Intervals. Here is the ascending C Major Scale,
demonstrating the intervallic relationship between the notes.

Also written is a suggested fingering pattern for each scale.

  

Building a Scale off each degree of the Ionian Scale creates a new set of scales called the
Major Modes. Although the notes are the same, the new pattern of intervals gives each scale
of the Major Modes their own color and characteristics. The Intervallic relationship makes
this Scale a Major Scale.

D Dorian

Dorian is the name given to the 2nd mode of the Major Modes. The Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th and
Minor 7th degrees make the Dorian a Minor scale. The characteristics between the intervals
give the Dorian Scale it's own special sound.

The intervallic relationships for the Dorian Scale are:

W-H-W-W-W-H-W

The D Dorian is the 2nd Mode of the C Major Modes. The Intervallic relationship makes the
Dorian Scale a Minor Scale.

When we compare the D Dorian scale with the D Major scale you will notice the 3rd and 7th
degrees are flat.

D Major

E Phrygian

Phrygian is the name given to the 3rd mode of the Major Modes. The Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th
and Minor 7th degrees make the Phrygian a Minor scale. The characteristics between the
intervals give the Phrygian Scale it's own special sound.
  

The intervallic relationships for the Phrygian Scale are:

H-W-W-W-H-W-W

When we compare the E Phrygian scale with the E Major scale you will notice the 2nd, 3rd, 6th
and 7th degrees are flat.

E Major

The E Phrygian is the 3rd Mode of the C Major Modes. The Intervallic relationship makes the
Phrygian Scale a Minor Scale.

F Lydian

Lydian is the name given to the 4th mode of the Major Modes. The Major 3rd, Perfect 5th and
Major 7th degrees make the Lydian a Major scale. The characteristics between the intervals
give the Lydian Scale it's own special sound.

The intervallic relationships for the Lydian Scale are:

W-W-W-H-W-W-H

The F Lydian is the 4th Mode of the C Major Modes. The Intervallic relationship makes the
Lydian Scale a Major Scale.
  

When we compare the F Lydian scale with the F Major scale you will notice the 4th degree is
sharp.

F Major

G Mixolydian

The G Mixolydian is the 5th Mode of the C Major Modes. The Intervallic relationship makes the
Mixolydian Scale a Dominant Scale.

When we compare the G Mixolydian scale with the G Major scale you will notice the 7th
degree is flat.

G Major

A Aeolian

Aeolian is the name given to the 6th mode of the Major Modes. The Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th and
Minor 7th degrees make the Aeolian a Minor scale. The characteristics between the intervals
give the Aeolian Scale it's own special sound.
  

The intervallic relationships for the Aeolian Scale are:

W-H-W-W-H-W-W

The A Aeolian is the 6th Mode of the C Major Modes. The Intervallic relationship makes the
Aeolian Scale a Minor Scale.

When we compare the A Aeolian scale with the A Major scale you will notice the 3rd, 6th and
7th degrees are flat.

A Major

B Locrian

Locrian is the name given to the 7th mode of the Major Modes. The Minor 3rd, Diminished 5th
and Minor 7th degrees make the Locrian a Minor scale. The characteristics between the
intervals give the Locrian Scale it's own special sound.

The intervallic relationships for the Locrian Scale are.

H-W-W-H-W-W-H

The B Locrian is the 7th Mode of the C Major Modes. The Intervallic relationship makes the
Locrian Scale a Half Diminished Scale.
  

When we compare the B Locrian scale with the B Major scale you will notice the 2nd, 3rd, 5th,
6th and 7th degrees are flat.

B Major

Practice and write out each of the Major Modes in each Key.