Name |
C Major Scale Degree |
Locations of Half-Steps |
Changes in Scale Degree |
Ionian |
1 |
3-4, 7-8 |
None, like the Major scale |
Dorian |
2 |
2-3, 6-7 |
Lowered 3 and 7 |
Phrygian |
3 |
1-2, 5-6 |
Lowered 2, 3, 6 and 7 |
Lydian |
4 |
4-5, 7-8 |
Raised 4 |
Mixolydian |
5 |
3-4, 6-7 |
Lowered 7 |
Aeolian |
6 |
2-3, 5-6 |
Lowered 3, 6, and 7, like the Natural Minor scale |
Locrian |
7 |
1-2, 4-5 |
Lowered 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 |
By using a piano keyboard, the Modes can be easily understood visually. All Modes are built with Whole and Half Steps. A Whole Step is the interval of a Major Second, such as the distance of the "White Key C" to the "White Key D", with a "Black Key C#/Db" in the middle of them. A Half Step is the interval of a Minor Second, such as the distance of the "White Key E" to the "White Key F", without any "Black Key" in the middle of them. When there is not a black key between any two white keys, it is also called a "Natural Half Step."
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All Ionian Modes have two half steps between degrees 3-4 and 7-8. For the Ionian Mode that starts on "C", the half steps are located between "E and F", degrees 3 and 4, and "B and C", degrees 7 and 8. In the C Ionian Mode, these two half steps are the perfect examples of the "Natural Half Steps." It is equivalent to a C Major Scale. However, if the Ionian Mode starts on "G", the half steps are located between "B and C", degrees 3 and 4, and "F-Sharp and G", degrees 7 and 8. It is equivalent to start from the first degree of a G Major scale.
Ionian |
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Ionian starting on "G" |
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The Dorian Mode has two half steps between degrees 2-3 and 6-7. For the Dorian Mode that starts on "D" in the following example, the half steps are located between "E and F", degrees 2 and 3, and "B and C", degrees 6 and 7. It is equivalent to start from the second degree of a C Major scale. However, if the Dorian Mode starts on "F", the half steps are located between "G and A-Flat", degrees 2 and 3, and "D and E-Flat", degrees 6 and 7. It is equivalent to start from the second degree of an E-flat Major scale.
Dorian |
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Dorian starting on "F" |
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The Phrygian Mode has two half steps between degrees 1-2 and 5-6. For the Phrygian Mode that starts on "E" in the following example, the half steps are located between "E and F", degrees 1 and 2, and "B and C", degrees 5 and 6. It is equivalent to start from the third degree of a C Major scale. However, if the Phrygian Mode starts on "F-sharp", the half steps are located between "F-Sharp and G", degrees 1 and 2, and "C-Sharp and D", degrees 5 and 6. It is equivalent to start from the third degree of a D Major scale.
Phrygian |
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Phrygian starting on "F-Sharp" |
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The Lydian Mode has two half steps between degrees 1-2 and 5-6. For the Lydian Mode that starts on "F" in the following example, the half steps are located between "B and C", degrees 4 and 5, and "E and F", degrees 7 and 8. It is equivalent to start from the fourth degree of a C Major scale. However, if the Lydian Mode starts on "A", the half steps are located between "D-Sharp and E", degrees 4 and 5, and "G-Sharp and A", degrees 7 and 8. It is equivalent to start from the fourth degree of an E Major scale.
Lydian |
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Lydian starting on "A" |
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The Mixolydian Mode has two half steps between degrees 3-4 and 6-7. For the Mixolydian Mode that starts on "G" in the following example, the half steps are located between "B and C", degrees 3 and 4, and "E and F", degrees 6 and 7. It is equivalent to start from the fifth degree of a C Major scale. However, if the Mixolydian Mode starts on "E-Flat", the half steps are located between "G and A-Flat", degrees 3 and 4, and "C and D-Flat", degrees 6 and 7. It is equivalent to start from the fifth degree of an A-Flat Major scale.
Mixolydian |
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Mixolydian starting on "E-Flat" |
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The Aeolian Mode has two half steps between degrees 2-3 and 5-6. For the Aeolian Mode that starts on "A" in the following example, the half steps are located between "B and C", degrees 2 and 3, and "E and F", degrees 5 and 6. It is equivalent to start from the sixth degree of a C Major scale, or an A Natural Minor. However, if the Aeolian Mode starts on "E", the half steps are located between "F-Sharp and G", degrees 2 and 3, and "B and C", degrees 5 and 6. It is equivalent to start from the sixth degree of a G Major scale, or an E Natural Minor.
Aeolian |
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Aeolian starting on "E" |
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The Locrian Mode has two half steps between degrees 1-2 and 4-5. For the Locrian Mode that starts on "B" in the following example, the half steps are located between "B and C", degrees 1 and 2, and "E and F", degrees 4 and 5. It is equivalent to start from the seventh degree of a C Major scale. However, if the Locrian Mode starts on "A", the half steps are located between "A and B-Flat", degrees 4 and 5, and "D and E-Flat", degrees 4 and 5. It is equivalent to start from the seventh degree of a B-Flat Major scale.
Locrian |
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Locrian starting on "A" |
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The next topic in this Music Theory site is all about "Intervals." Thank you for reading!
For more information, please contact Ms. Lee at: info@kafm.net
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