Modes are not some distant concept from a different musical planet, they are just another approach to using and applying scales (for the most part). Modes are used typically in jazz but recently seem to have a wider acceptance. Modes basically are the scale of each note from the major scale re-written with the new starting point. Modal scale may seem tricky but are simple in the since that they are all the same scale with different starting points.
For example a c major scale is now called a C Ionian and consists of C D E F G A B C.
To find our next scale we go to the second note of the scale, (here D). This scale is called the D Dorian scale which is D E F G A B C D. Same scale but different starting and ending point. It looks and sounds like this.
You continue this pattern with each note of the major scale....Phrygian (the third), Lydian (the fourth), Mixolydian (the fifth), Aeolian (the sixth) and Locrian (the seventh). But these scales can be taken out of the modal context as well. An Ionian is a major scale...Aeolian is a natural minor scale...the Mixolydian mode is a major scale with a lowered 7th. Here are each of the scales written out in the key of C.
C Ionian – C D E F G A B C
D Dorian - D E F G A B C D
E Phrygian - E F G A B C D E
F Lydian - F G A B C D E F
G Mixolydian G A B C D E F G
A Aeolian - A B C D E F G A
B Locrian - B C D E F G A B
Here they are played out.
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