Modes

In music, a mode is a type of scale with a specific character attached to it. Mainly, there are seven modes - Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian. These modes have Greek names as they originated in ancient Greece. The modes were named after various tribes, each of who had a specific character associated with them.

Ionian (I)

The ionian mode is the modern major scale. For example, the ionian mode of C is formed of all the white keys on the piano.

C - C♯ - D - D♯ - E - F - F♯ - G - G♯ - A - A♯ - B - D♭ - E♭ - F♭ - G♭ - A♭ - B♭ - C♭

Dorian (II)

The dorian mode is very similar to the modern natural minor scale. The only difference is that the sixth note is a major sixth above the first note as opposed to minor sixth in the natural minor scale. The dorian mode of D is formed of all the white keys on the piano.

C - C♯ - D - D♯ - E - F - F♯ - G - G♯ - A - A♯ - B - D♭ - E♭ - F♭ - G♭ - A♭ - B♭ - C♭

Phrygian (III)

The phrygian mode is also very similar to the modern natural minor scale. The only difference is that the second note is a minor second above the first note as opposed to major second in the natural minor scale. The phrygian mode of E is formed of all the white keys on the piano.

C - C♯ - D - D♯ - E - F - F♯ - G - G♯ - A - A♯ - B - D♭ - E♭ - F♭ - G♭ - A♭ - B♭ - C♭

Lydian (IV)

The lydian mode is similar to the ionian mode, the major scale. The only difference is that the fourth note is an augmented fourth above the first note as opposed to perfect fourth in the major scale. The lydian mode of F is formed of all the white keys on the piano.

C - C♯ - D - D♯ - E - F - F♯ - G - G♯ - A - A♯ - B - D♭ - E♭ - F♭ - G♭ - A♭ - B♭ - C♭

Mixolydian (V)

The mixolydian mode is also similar to the ionian mode, the major scale. The only difference is that the seventh note is a minor seventh above the first note as opposed to major seventh in the major scale. The lydian mode of G is formed of all the white keys on the piano.

C - C♯ - D - D♯ - E - F - F♯ - G - G♯ - A - A♯ - B - D♭ - E♭ - F♭ - G♭ - A♭ - B♭ - C♭

Aeolian (VI)

The aeolian mode is same as the natural minor scale. The aeolian mode of A is formed of all the white keys on the piano.

C - C♯ - D - D♯ - E - F - F♯ - G - G♯ - A - A♯ - B - D♭ - E♭ - F♭ - G♭ - A♭ - B♭ - C♭

Locrian (VII)

The locrian mode is the only mode with a diminished fifth. The locrian mode of B is formed of all the white keys on the piano.

C - C♯ - D - D♯ - E - F - F♯ - G - G♯ - A - A♯ - B - D♭ - E♭ - F♭ - G♭ - A♭ - B♭ - C♭