Unit 2-2: Modes

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Understand the concept of modes and their relationship to the major scale.
Distinguish between each of the seven diatonic modes.
Analyze musical examples to determine their modal characteristics.
Demonstrate proficiency in transposing melodies into different modes.

Preparation for Class

Read:

"Modes and Scales" (Popgrammar) - Read the first section on modes and listen to the examples.
Then, dive into more detail here:
- - "Introduction to Diatonic Modes" (OMT).
  - "Diatonic Modes" (OMT) - Scroll down to the section "Identifying Modes"

Watch

Optional: For an additional explanation check out these videos.

What is a Mode?
(2 Min MT, 2 mins)

Dorian Mode
(2 Min MT, 2 mins)

Phrygian Mode
(2 Min MT, 2 mins)

Lydian Mode
(2 Min MT, 2 mins)

Mixolydian Mode
(2 Min MT, 2 mins)

Explore

You Try: Check out the interactive online Notio keyboard here to experiment with the sound of each of the scales discussed in the reading. Click on the "Scale" button to change the scale. The "Keyboard" button will expand your keyboard. Change the scale's starting note, by clicking on the "Root" button.

This is a screenshot of the Notio-Novia tool.

Or check out one of these interactive sites to experiment with the sound of different modes:

aQWERTYon - Learn about and play scales and chords in each collection.
ToneGym: This tool includes chords and extensions for each scale in an interactive keyboard format.
Ethan Hein's "Mode Song": Listen to the same song change with each mode.

References & Study Aids

Modes Handout (Toby Rush)

Identifying Modes (from Open Music Theory)

This image is a flowchart for determining modes based on the tonic pitch and the alterations of various scale degrees. It begins with the instruction, "Identify the tonic pitch," in an oval at the top of the diagram. The next decision diamond asks, "Is the 3rd above tonic major or minor?" If the 3rd is major, the flowchart branches to the left with the label "Major." The next decision diamond asks, "Is the 7th lowered?" If the 7th is lowered, the flowchart leads to an oval labeled "Mixolydian." If the 7th is not lowered, the flowchart moves to another decision diamond: "Is the 4th raised?" If the 4th is raised, the flowchart ends in the oval labeled "Lydian." If the 4th is not raised, the flowchart ends in the oval labeled "Major." If the 3rd is minor, the flowchart branches to the right, labeled "Minor." The next decision diamond asks, "Is the 7th raised?" If the 7th is raised, it leads directly to the oval labeled "Minor." If the 7th is not raised, the next question is, "Is the 2nd lowered?" If the 2nd is lowered, the flowchart leads to the oval labeled "Phrygian." If the 2nd is not lowered, the next question is, "Is the 6th raised?" If the 6th is raised, it leads to the oval labeled "Dorian." If the 6th is not raised, it ends in the oval labeled "Aeolian."

This is an image of a horizontal double-headed arrow, with a gradient from dark blue on the left to light blue on the right. The arrow represents a range labeled underneath as follows: "Darker" on the left and "Brighter" on the right. Below the arrow, a sequence of modes is written from left to right: "Locrian, Phrygian, Aeolian, Dorian, Mixolydian, Ionian, Lydian." Below each mode is a set of solfège syllables and interval markings. These are: For Locrian: "te(lowered 7), ra(lowered 2), me(lowered 3), se(lowered 5), le(lowered 6)" For Phrygian: "te(lowered 7), ra(lowered 2), me(lowered 3), le(lowered 6)" For Aeolian: "te(lowered 7), me(lowered 3), le(lowered 6)" For Dorian: "te(lowered 7), me(lowered 3)" For Mixolydian: "te(lowered 7)" For Ionian: none. For Lydian: "fi(raised 4)"

Pre-Class Assignment

Assignment 2-2

In-Class Activities

Discussion

Mode Construction: All of the modes can be constructed using the white notes on the piano. In other words, you might say that they all use the same pitch collection. What makes something sound like it's in dorian vs. lydian, for example? (Consider your discussion about major and minor tonality from the last class.)
Characteristics of Modes: How does changing the mode of a melody change the affect of the melody? Consider this resetting of the UK national anthem and reflect on your re-compositions of "Over the Rainbow" from the pre-class assignment. Try the same exercises as a class or in small groups with the tune, "Happy Birthday."
- - Break into groups. Each group selects a different mode to re-write "Happy Birthday" in. Open the MuseScore file here (or PDF here) and simply change the key signature and adjust accidentals to rewrite the melody.
  - Listen to each group's re-composition. How do the different modes change the way you hear the melody? What does each mode make you think of?
  - Why might a composer choose to write in one mode over another?

Activities

Worksheets for Mode Construction & ID Practice:
- - Scale Construction: Worksheet 1, Worksheet 2, Worksheet 3, Worksheet 4
  - Mode ID and Error Detection: Worksheet 1, Worksheet 2, Turek's Today's Musician Workbook (pp. 1–9)
  - Mode ID in repertoire: Worksheet 1 & solution. Worksheet 2 & solution. (from Diverse Music Theory)
Mode ID in TV: Identify the modes used in the TV show, The Great British Bake Off. A worksheet is provided here with the music along with a link to the playlist. Use the mode ID diagram from the OMT reading to help guide your analysis.
- - For additional practice examples from the repertoire, see the Repertoire for Practice section below.
Modal Composition Practice: Divide the class into groups of 3–4 students and assign each group a specific mode to focus on (i.e., Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian). Instruct the groups to compose a short musical piece (4–8 measures) for any instrument using a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation, e.g. Bandlab, Musescore, Garage Band, Ableton, etc.). Remind them to consider the tonal center and unique intervallic relationships of their assigned mode. Once the groups have finished, have them present their work in front of the class and lead a discussion of how the work effectively expressed the assigned mode's tonal qualities.

Repertoire for Practice

ID the Mode: Identify the mode used in each of the melodies in the anthology.

Go to Anthology

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Pentatonic, WT, Octatonic

Want to learn more?

Check out Ethan Hein's interactive blog posts on:

Optional Additional Practice

Musition:
- - Scales (Levels 3a–3c)
  - Key/Mode ID (Level 3)
Auralia:
- Scales: Level 3a–3c

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