Scales
A scale can be described as a graduated series of tones arranged in a specified order or an ascending or descending series of pitches arranged in a pattern of different intervals, either whole or half steps.
Modes
Modes are another way of describing scales and relating them to one another.
There are seven modes:
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Aeolian
- Locrian
- Ionian
- referring to the major scale with the same key signature
(eg: D Dorian uses the same notes as C major) - referring to the major scale with the same root
(eg: D Dorian is a D major scale with a flat 3rd)
| Major Scale/Ionian | Dorian | Phrygian | Lydian | Mixolydian | Aeolian | Locrian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
| Major Scale/Ionian | Dorian | Phrygian | Lydian | Mixolydian | Aeolian | Locrian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| b3, b7 | b2, b3, b6, b7 | #4 | b7 | b3, b6, b7 | b2, b3, b5, b6, b7 | |
| C,D,E,F,G,A,B | C,Db,E,F,G,A,Bb | C,Db,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb | C,D,E,F#,G,A,B | C,D,E,F,G,A,B | C,D,Eb,F,G,Ab,Bb | C,Db,Eb,F,Gb,Ab,Bb |