Musical modes

What are they?

Musical modes originated in Greek antiquity. Modes are a series of seven diatonic pitches that contain two semitones and two whole tones.

So what is a semitone (or half step)? If you picture a piano it is a white to a black key, such as C to C#.  Now that we understand what a semitone is, what is a whole tone (or whole step)? Again, if we imagine a piano a whole tone could be a white key to a white key such as C to D.  (See Example 1)

Another key member to the construction of a mode is the tetrachord. A tetrachord is a group of four consecutive notes created in the confines of a perfect fourth. It is built with 2 whole tones and 1 semitone.

The music of the ancient Greeks revolved around the tetrachord. Modes are formed by combining two tetrachords such as the Greek Dorian mode E-D-C-B A-G-F-E. (See Example 2)

Example 1

Example 2

Fast forward in history to the 6th and 7th century AD we are introduced to plain chant also known as Gregorian Chant. Gregorian Chants are based on eight different modes, the names of these modes are Dorian, Hypodorian, Phrygian, Hypophrygian, Lydian, Hypolydian and Mixolydian and Hypomixolydian.

As we move through history we see another development between the 12th and 16th century which brought about a massive change in modal theory. Major and minor modes began to emerge; these are known as the Ionian and Aeolian modes which are our common major and natural minor scales.

These scales form the basis of all western music today.

• Ionian

• Dorian

• Phrygian

• Lydian

• Mixolydian

• Aeolian

• Locrian

How to build the modes

Example 3

Lets use the C Major Scale as an example

(See Example 3)

1. Ionian Mode

   Also known as the Major Scale. It is built with wwhwwwh

   This is how it looks in C Major. C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C

2. Dorian Mode

   Dorian is built on the second scale degree. So instead of starting on C it starts on D. It is built with whwwwhw

   This is how it looks in C Major. D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D

3. Phrygian Mode

   Phrygian is built on the third scale degree. It is built with hwwwhww

   This is how it looks in C Major. E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E

4. Lydian Mode

   Lydian is built on the fourth scale degree. It is built with wwwhwwh

   This is how it looks in C Major. F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F

5. Mixolydian Mode

   Mixolydian is built on the fifth scale degree. It is built with wwhwwhw

   This is how it looks in C Major. G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G

6. Aeolian Mode

   Aeolian is built on the sixth scale degree. It is also know as the natural minor scale. It is built with whwwhww

   This is how it looks in C Major. A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A

7. Locrian Mode

   Locrian is built on the seventh scale degree. It is built with hwwhwww

   This is how it looks in C Major. B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B

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REFERENCES:

https://www.britannica.com/art/mode-music