This is the way I think of this.
Lets talk in c as this is only the white notes.

The brightest mode of any scale is the Lydian scale (NOT the Ionian as one might initially believe). This is F Lydian in the key of C. Just play the white keys from F to find this.

go down a perfect fourth from there (F) are you get the Ionian scale (C to C) often called the major scale. Play the white notes from C

go down another fourth and you get the Mixolydian scale the third brightest scale. Play the white notes from G

Down another fourth and you get the Dorian - the fourth brightest (darker and darker) Play the white notes from D

Next is the Aeolian (or natural minor) Play the white notes from A

Next the Phrygian Play the white notes from E

Next the Locrian - play white notes from B


Each step of a fourth (and the building of a scale thereof) brings a further darkening of the mode/scale

Chords derived thereof:

From the first degree (Ionian) a major triad

From the second degree a minor chord

From the third - minor
4th - major
5th dominant chord
6th minor
7th half diminished

Its very very useful to memorise this



So the degrees of the major scale, its chords and its mode, begin to make sense when you think in descending fourths.

Notice that there are two major chords and three minor chords derived from the major scale modes, and one dominant chord and one half diminished. They are always in the same positions - relatively speaking

Working around this modal system one finds, starting from the Lydian one finds that each mode in the order given above gets one additional 'flattened note'.
Starting with the Lydian one goes to the Ionian which (so to speak has the fourth tone flattened). From the Ionian the next is the Myxolidian/dominant chord - this has the 7th tone flattened. As you examine each mode in this descending order, you will find that the next step gets a further note flattened, until all notes of the parent scale are used up.

This will make more sense if you go to a keyboard and let your eyes see it.




Last edited by ZeroZero; 11/05/13 02:58 PM.
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