Understand the modes

A path from the major scale to modal harmony, in the order it's best studied.

Essential

Content under musical review. It may contain inaccuracies.

Modes seem complicated because they're usually explained as "the major scale starting on another note". This collection presents them differently: first you build the major scale and understand its steps, then you compare formulas to see which degree sets each mode apart, and finally you hear them over their own chord and in real progressions.

Follow the order of the list. The first two pieces are review; if you already know the major scale well, start with the formulas table. Spend time playing each mode over a pedal note before moving on to modal harmony and modal interchange.

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In this collection

1 · TopicThe major scaleSeven notes in the pattern W W H W W W H, the yardstick for almost every other scale and chord.
2 · AnimationBuilding a scaleThe major scale appears note by note, with the whole or half step between each one and its place on the fretboard.
3 · InfographicScale formulasA table of the most-used scales, with their degree formula and their whole-step and half-step pattern.
4 · TopicThe modesThe seven scales you get by playing the major scale from each of its degrees, and the note that gives each one its character.
5 · TopicChord-scale relationshipsWhich scale fits each chord type, and why some notes need careful handling.
6 · TopicModal harmonyHow to build progressions and vamps that make a mode sound, avoiding the pull of the major or minor key.
7 · TopicModal interchangeBorrowing chords from the parallel key, especially the minor, to darken or colour a major progression.