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Modes of the Major Scale

Ecclesiastical modes, also named church modes, Greek modes or Gregorian modes formed in the Middle Ages a set of seven scales whose use has weakened because of the appearance of the major / minor tonal system. Many centuries later these modes have reappeared. 

How Are Built The Modes Of The Major Scale?

Modes of a scale are constructed by moving the tonic on the different degrees of this scale. There are seven modes in the major scale :

The Seven Modes Of The Major Scale :

  • The Ionian Mode is the first mode of the major scale. The interval pattern is 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
  • The Dorian Mode is the second mode of the major scale. The interval pattern is 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7
  • The Phrygian Mode is the third mode of the major scale. The interval pattern is 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7
  • The Lydian Mode is is the fourth mode of the major scale. The Interval pattern is 1 - 2 - 3 - #4 - 5 - 6 - 7
  • The Mixolydian Mode is the fifth mode of the major scale. The interval pattern is 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7
  • The Aeolian Mode aka natural minor scale, is the sixth mode of the major scale. The Interval pattern is 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7
  • The Locrian Mode is the seventh mode of the major scale. The interval pattern is 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - b5 - b6 - b7

Guitar scale dictionary pdf method

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the links below to access the lessons and check this lesson to learn parallel and relative modes.