Antwort auf:

I have a huge gap in my musical education - I learned to hear the major scale pretty well, and I learned how to "derive" the modes from the major scale, but I never learned to 'hear' the difference between songs in one mode over the other, or to hear the difference in progressions in one mode vs. another.



See it like this:
There are 2 archetype of scales: the ionian (major type) and the aeolian (minor type) mode.

major type
The distinction between Ionian and Lydian is the #11. So #11 becomes the characteristic tone of Lydian.
The distinction between Ionian and Mixolydian is the b7. So b7 becomes the characteristic tone of Mixolydian.


minor type
The distinction between Aeolian and Dorian is the 6. So 6 becomes the characteristic tone of Dorian.
The distinction between Aeolian and Phrygian is the b2. So b2 becomes the characteristic tone of Phrygian.

(Locrian is not considered a Mode by itself because of its instability. It is used only in the context of a chordscale.)



No try to remember tunes which are written in a certain mode.

Dorian:
Simon and Garfunkel:
Scarborough Fair

John Lennon:
Working-class Hero

Bob Dylan / Eric Clapton:
Knocking on Heavens Door

Carlos Santana:
Evil Ways
Soul Sacrifice



Phrygian:

A lot of celtic or flamenco music.



Lydian:

Joe Satriani
Flying In A Blue Dream (= Polytonal - Unimodal)

Steve Vai
The Riddle



Mixolydian:

The Beatles:
Within and without you
Love Me Do
Got To Get You Into My Life
A Hard Day's Night

Eric Clapton (Cream):
I Fell Free

J J Cale / Eric Clapton:
Cocaine


When listening to these song, try to concentrate your ear on the characteristic tone of the sounding mode.