The 7 Modes in Music Explained

Most Western musicians, especially in England, begin learning harmony on their instrument of choice through major and minor scales.

These are fantastic but can be limiting for a composer. If you want a bit of extra spice to your harmony or your melodies then try using some modes.

Before Major and Minor scales there were Modes. These originated in Ancient Greece and are named for various regions throughout Greece. If you’re a pianist then each mode starts on a different note and is the white notes between them. For example:

Ionian C - C (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C)

This is the modern major scale - nice and easy.

Dorian D - D (D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D)

This one features a flattened third and seventh, you’ll hear this all over the place in pop, rock, jazz etc. Think Billie Jean or the riff from Smoke on the Water.

Phrygian E - E (E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E)

This is similar to the natural minor and spanish/gypsy scale. The Phrygian scale features a flattened second, third, sixth and seventh.

Lydian F - F (F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F)

This is a normal major except that it has a sharpened fourth. Many composers use this mode for it’s unique and startling sound, an excellent exponent of this mode is Danny Elfman - his Simpsons Theme tune features extensive use of the Lydian scale.

Mixolydian G - G (G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G)

Major but with a flattened seventh. You’ll hear this in a lot of jazz and pop as well.

Aeolian A - A (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A)

The Aeolian has a flattened third, sixth and seventh making it the same as the natural minor.

Locrian B - B (B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B)

I always think that this mode sounds really cool but is challenging to work effectively within compositions. It features a royal flush of a flattened second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh.

A really good way of remembering the order of the musical modes is:

I Don’t Punch Like Mohammed A Li

Or

I Don’t Play Loud Music Any Longer

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Nick Pike is a London-based composer, pianist, saxophonist, producer, and educator with over 15 years of professional experience. His music blends neoclassical piano with jazz, funk, and contemporary influences, drawing comparisons to Ludovico Einaudi, Yiruma, and Ólafur Arnalds. Alongside original compositions, Nick offers music services including scoring for film, TV, and advertising, piano and saxophone recording, arranging for strings and horns, and professional mixing and production.

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