More On Modes

First off, what is a mode?  A mode is a set of notes and or chords that harmonize with each other in a unique way, providing a noticeable, familiar sound.  Each mode starts at a specific point in the scale of  Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do.  This is also known as their "Scale Degree".

The modes were named after greek islands, there are a total of seven (natural) modes and they are: IONIAN, DORIAN, PHRYGIAN, LYDIAN, MIXO-LYDIAN, AEOLIAN, LOCRIAN.

Scale Degree       Name                            Notes         
I MAJOR              C IONIAN                     C D E F G A B C      Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti
II minor                D DORIAN                    D E F G A B C D      Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do
III minor               E PHRYGIAN                E F G A B C D E      Mi Fa So La Ti Do Re
IV MAJOR            F LYDIAN                     F G A B C D E F      Fa So La Ti Do Re Mi
V MAJOR             G MIXO-LYDIAN          G A B C D E F G      So La Ti Do Re Mi Fa
VI minor               A AEOLIAN                  A B C D E F G A      La Ti Do Re Mi Fa So
VII minor              B LOCRIAN                  B C D E F G A B      Ti Do Re Mi Fa So La

You will notice that each mode starts at a certain point on the Do Re Mi scale, which is what produces that unique sound.  Each mode has special qualities, and the type of mode you choose as your starting point will greatly affect the overall sound of your composition, and hence, it is very important to think about what kind of sound you want your composition to have before beginning.  In general, MAJOR chords and modes tend to produce a happy, uplifting sound, whereas minor tends to produce the exact opposite effect; a saddening, reflective, seemingly morbid sound.  Each chord will produce a sound that is either "more or less MAJOR or minor" when compared to the other chords available in that specific Key / Mode.  This is determined by chords' Scale Degree, which tells us the chords' position in the Do Re Mi scale.

THEORY TIDBIT

You will also notice one can infer the Key by simply being told what Mode we are playing in.  For Example:  If I said "let's play something in D Dorian", you could respond by playing something that was in the Key of CMAJOR.  You would know that if D = Re (Dorian) then C = Do (Ionian).  To demonstrate a more complex example, if I said "let's play something in Gb Aeolian" you could respond by playing something that was in the Key of AMAJOR.  You would know that if Gb = La (Aeolian), then A = Do (Ionian).