Modal Interchange

Introduction To Modal Interchange

What is Modal Interchange?

Modal interchange refers to the practice of borrowing chords from parallel modes (scales with the same root note) to add variety and color to music. For example, if you are in C major, you might borrow chords from C minor or other modes like C Dorian, C Phrygian, etc.

Example Explanation

In C major, the diatonic chords are:

I (C major)
ii (D minor)
iii (E minor)
IV (F major)
V (G major)
vi (A minor)
vii° (B diminished)

If we borrow chords from C minor, we get:

i (C minor)
ii° (D diminished)
♭III (E♭ major)
iv (F minor)
v (G minor)
♭VI (A♭ major)
♭VII (B♭ major)

Exercise 1: Identifying Borrowed Chords

Identify which of the following chords are borrowed from C minor if we are in the key of C major.

E♭ major
D minor
G minor
A minor
B♭ major

Answer:

E♭ major (borrowed from C minor - ♭III)
D minor (diatonic in C major)
G minor (borrowed from C minor - v)
A minor (diatonic in C major)
B♭ major (borrowed from C minor - ♭VII)

Exercise 2: Creating Progressions with Modal Interchange

Create a 4-chord progression in C major that includes at least one borrowed chord from C minor. Write your progression below and indicate which chord is borrowed.

Example:

C major (I)
A♭ major (♭VI - borrowed from C minor)
F major (IV)
G major (V)

Exercise 3: Listening Practice

Listen to the following chord progression and identify which chord is borrowed from a parallel mode:

Progression: C major - D minor - E♭ major - G major

Answer:

E♭ major (borrowed from C minor - ♭III)

Exercise 4: Application in a Song

Choose a song you know that uses modal interchange and identify the borrowed chords. If you don't know one, here is an example:

Song: "Creep" by Radiohead

Key: G major

Borrowed Chords: G major (I), B major (III from G minor), C major (IV), C minor (iv from G minor)

Write the borrowed chords from a song of your choice here:

Song Title:

Key:

Borrowed Chords:

This worksheet aims to help you understand and identify modal interchange by providing explanations, examples, and interactive exercises. Feel free to explore different keys and parallel modes for more practice!

Modal interchange, also known as modal borrowing, involves borrowing chords from parallel modes (modes that share the same tonic). Here's a table showing all possible chords that can be borrowed using modal interchange from the parallel modes of a major key (Ionian mode).

Modal Interchange Chords from Parallel Modes in C Major

Mode Chords

C Ionian (Major) C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim

C Dorian Cm, Dm, Eb, F, Gm, Adim, Bb

C Phrygian Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb

C Lydian C, D, Em, F#, G, Am, Bdim

C Mixolydian C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bb

C Aeolian (Minor) Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb

C Locrian Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, Gb, Ab, Bdim

Explanation of Chords

Ionian (Major): The default major scale chords.
Dorian: Minor scale with a major 6th. Chords: minor i (Cm), minor ii (Dm), major bIII (Eb), major IV (F), minor v (Gm), diminished vi (Adim), major bVII (Bb).
Phrygian: Minor scale with a minor 2nd. Chords: minor i (Cm), major bII (Db), major bIII (Eb), minor iv (Fm), minor v (Gm), major bVI (Ab), major bVII (Bb).
Lydian: Major scale with an augmented 4th. Chords: major I (C), major II (D), minor iii (Em), augmented IV (#F), major V (G), minor vi (Am), diminished vii (Bdim).
Mixolydian: Major scale with a minor 7th. Chords: major I (C), minor ii (Dm), minor iii (Em), major IV (F), major V (G), minor vi (Am), major bVII (Bb).
Aeolian (Natural Minor): The natural minor scale. Chords: minor i (Cm), diminished ii (Ddim), major bIII (Eb), minor iv (Fm), minor v (Gm), major bVI (Ab), major bVII (Bb).
Locrian: Minor scale with a diminished 5th. Chords: minor i (Cm), major bII (Db), major bIII (Eb), minor iv (Fm), diminished v (Gb), major bVI (Ab), diminished vii (Bdim).

Application of Modal Interchange

When using modal interchange, you typically:

Start in your home key (e.g., C major).
Borrow chords from any of the parallel modes (e.g., C minor, C Dorian, etc.).
Integrate these borrowed chords into your progression to add color and variety.

Examples

C Major with a borrowed chord from C Dorian: C - F - G - Bb (bVII from Dorian).
C Major with a borrowed chord from C Aeolian: C - Am - F - Ab (bVI from Aeolian).
C Major with a borrowed chord from C Phrygian: C - Db (bII from Phrygian) - F - G.

Using modal interchange effectively can bring a fresh sound to your chord progressions, enhancing the emotional and harmonic richness of your music.