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RECAP

In the previous topic, we have listed several modes and for convenience we have related them to the major and minor scales. Specifying the intervals with respect to the starting note we had: Ionian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dorian 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 Phrygian 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 Lydian 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 Mixolydian 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 Aeolian 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 Locrian 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 The table above defines each degree of the modes as an interval with respect to the starting note.  Comparing each mode with the Ionian mode, you can easily determine what you need to do to obtain any other mode.  In order to transform the Ionian mode into the Dorian mode (for example), you need to lower the 3rd and the
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Using Modes for Improvisation

In the previous section, we defined all sorts of modes; we will now discuss how they can be used in practice: improvisation (in this topic) and composition (in future topics). Using modes for improvisation requires that you clearly understand the relationship between modes, scales and tonality. One of the dominant features of modal (church) music in the Middle-Ages is the fact that it was purely monodic (a single melody line sung at unison).   In the late Middle-Ages, with the birth of counterpoint (several melodic lines sung simultaneously but independently), and at the Renaissance when music became downright polyphonic (several melodic lines simultaneously at rest to form chords), the modes were gradually abandoned and replaced by the tonal system.   However, two modes were kept: the Ionian mode (major) and the Aeolian mode (minor).   The Aeolian mode itself further evolved (for tonal reasons) to give birth to the harmonic minor scale and later the melodic minor scale.
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Most Important Modes

In order to be able to theorize about modes, it is convenient to be able to name them. Below is a list of the most important modes and their definitions. Remember: in these definitions, the symbols represent intervals with respect to the starting note, which is always notated “1”.   Ionian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dorian 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 Phrygian 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 Lydian 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 Mixolydian 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 Aeolian 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 Locrian 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 Harmonic Minor 1 2 b3 4
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