Many musicians are uncertain about modes. I think the reason is that there are so many different ways to play a scale, and so many different kinds of music, even in Western culture, that it is difficult to find terms to explain all of the possibilities.
That is why on this page, the only subject will be what we call "Modern" or "Gregorian" modes, known as
Ionian - Dorian - Phrygian - Lydian - Mixolydian - Aeolian - Locrian
The first reasonnable thing to say about modes is that it is the "mood" of a music.
The mode is embodied by notes, it is therefore as a scale that a mode will be defined. A scale and a mode are 2 different things, even if both of them are often linked together.
1) A scale is a degree by degree ascending or descending series of notes from a root and usually within one or several octaves.
2) A mode is a musical mood or color defined by intervals between the notes of a scale.
- A 3rd factor then appears and results of the combination of scale and mode : The key.
Regarding specific intervals between the notes of a scale more often implies the use of sharps or flats. The amount of these sharps and flats within a scale determines the key signature.
The most used modes are the standard major mode, and the standard minor mode (natural), born from this major scale and stepping from its VIth note (degree).
An important principle to point about "gregorian" modes is that they all can be built from a standard major scale.
1) C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C (Ionian - standard major mode)
2) D - E - F - G - A - B - C - D (Dorian)
3) E - F - G - A - B - C - D - E (Phrygian)
4) F - G - A - B - C - D - E - F (Lydian)
5) G - A - B - C - D - E - F - G (Mixolydian)
6) A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A (Aeolian - natural minor mode)
7) B - C - D - E - F - G - A - B (Locrian)
For this reason, these modes are often named with their numbers :
1 : Ionian - 2 : Dorian - 3 : Phrygian - 4 : Lydian - 5 : Mixolydian - 6 : Aeolian - 7 : Locrian
Using numbers instead of names will make easier your understanding of modes
By clicking on the following links, you can read (ans copy) scores, tabs, chords and intervals of the gregorian modes in C
1) Ionian - 2) Dorian - 3) Phrygian - 4) Lydian - 5) Mixolydian - 6) Aeolian - 7) Locrian
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