Which modes are major and which are minor

The 1 st and the 3 rd tones of this mode happen to be F and A. Considering that the interval between F and A is a major 3 rd , the Lydian mode is a major mode.

The 1 st and the 3 rd tones of this mode happen to be G and B. Considering that the interval between G and B is a major 3 rd , the Mixolydian mode is a major mode. The 1 st and the 3 rd tones of this mode are A and C. The 1 st and the 3 rd tones of this mode are B and D. B-D is a minor 3 rd , therefore the locrian mode is a minor mode. Click To Tweet. Click here to sign up on our notification list. Tagged as: major and minor modes , major modes , major vs minor , major vs minor modes , minor modes.

Leave this field empty. Previous post: Avoiding the Avoid Note. Notice that Dorian sounds brighter than Aeolian, but Phrygian and especially Locrian have a much darker sound quality.

Keep these points in mind as we approach our assignment, in which you will write a four-measure melody in each of the music modes:. Make use of all of the notes of the scale. In the following melody, scale degree 6 is not used, making it impossible to know if Dorian or Aeolian. Make frequent use of the characteristic note of the scale.

This melody could stand a few more F s to ensure a Lydian sound. Emphasize the tonic note by using it frequently and for notes of longer duration, especially those on strong beats. Locrian mode. There are passages in the Locrian mode in works by Rachmaninov , for example the Prelude in B minor, op. See more Latest features. Royal Ballet. See more Browse by. Modes: What are they and how do I use them? Latest features See more Latest features.

This is the 2nd mode: D Dorian. The 6th degree is natural, but the 7th degree is flatted. This is what makes the Dorian mode distinct from other minor scales and gives it that special quality.

Listen for the sound of the natural 6th in the opening guitar figures and vocal melody:. Now write the next note in the scale. This is the third mode: E Phrygian. The characteristic minor 2nd interval has a recognizable sound. We like this mode so much we did an entire piece on Lydian.

Mixolydian is the 5th mode. In this case, listen for the quality of the V chord. Locrian is the 7th mode. You just learned the parent scale method of building the modes.

Now you can build any mode as long as you know its number in the order. Again, staying sharp with your key signatures is a must for working with modes. The circle of fifths is a great partner tool for writing modally. If you know whether a mode is generally major or minor , you can simply remember which tones are altered from the template.

For example, say we want to play A Lydian. Now that you know the scale formula method, trying transposing each mode into C and playing them over the corresponding C major or minor chord.