Identifying and Writing Modes

Identifying and Writing

Modes

Chapter 5

Look Mom, no ears!

We previously talked about how to identify modes when we hear them, but what if we don't have the option to listen to the music? What if all we have is the notes written on the page? In that situation, we can use the relative method or the parallel method to identify the mode.

Modes: The Relative Method

In the relative method, the key signature is key (get it?). Find the major key associated with the key signature. Then, look to see if you can find the melody focusing or resting on certain scale degrees.

Once you know that information, you can name the mode. Every mode name has two parts: the note it focuses or rests on and the Greek name (yes, Greek) that corresponds to the scale degree of that note.

Naming the Mode

For instance, if a song's key signature says B major, but the melody keeps resting or focusing on the note D#, we would say it is in D# Phrygian.

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In the key of B major, D# is scale degree 3. Phrygian is our Greek mode name for when we emphasize scale degree 3 (remember: I Don't Particularly Like Magic Acts). If D# is the note being emphasized, that becomes the other half of the name.

Example 1

1) What is the key signature of the passage?

2) What note does the melody focus on or rest on? Check the beginning and end.

3) What scale degree is the note it focuses on according to the key signature?

Answers!

1) The key signature is G major.

2) The melody begins and ends on A. This means it is emphasizing that note.

3) A is scale degree 2 in G major.

Fill in the Blanks

What is the mode used in the last example (e.g. B Ionian)?

Example 2

1) What is the key signature of the passage?

2) What note does the melody focus on or rest on? Check the beginning and end.

3) What scale degree is the note it focuses on according to the key signature?

Answers!

1) The key signature is G major.

2) The melody uses quite a few A's, but in the final measure it emphasizes D. This final measure is the most important because it is the conclusion. Therefore it emphasizes D.

3) In the key of G major, D is scale degree 5.

Fill in the Blanks

What is the mode used in the last example (e.g. B Ionian)?

Example 3

1) What is the key signature of the passage?

2) What note does the melody focus on or rest on? Check the beginning and end.

3) What scale degree is the note it focuses on according to the key signature?

Answers!

1) The key signature is C major.

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2) Both hands of the piano begin on F at their entrances.

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3) F is scale degree 4 in C major.

Fill in the Blanks

What is the mode used in the last example (e.g. B Ionian)?

Categorizing Modes

Our ears are used to major and minor tonalities in the 20th century. Because of this, it is helpful to group the modes into two categories based on these. We can use the third scale degree in the mode to see if they are more major or minor sounding. This is called the parallel method because they will all start on the same note.

Major (ish) Modes Use Scale Degree 3

The obvious major-sounding mode is the Ionian mode. This is because it is the exact same as a major scale. Play C Ionian for yourself and check!

Mixolydian sounds like a major scale with a b7. Play C Mixolydian for yourself and check!

Lydian sounds like a major scale with a #4. Play C Lydian for yourself and check!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following modes would NOT be classified as major (ish)?

• Ionian

• Lydian

• Aeloian

• Mixolydian

Minor (ish) Modes Use Scale Degree b3

The obvious minor-sounding mode is the Aeloian mode. This is because it is the exact same as a natural minor scale. Play C Aeolian for yourself and check!

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Dorian sounds like a natural minor scale with a #6. Play C Dorian for yourself and check!

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Phrygian sounds like a natural minor scale with a b2. Play C Phrygian for yourself and check!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following modes would NOT be classified as minor (ish)?

• Aeolian

• Locrian

• Phrygian

• Dorian

Writing Modes

What if instead of being asked to identify a mode, we are asked to write a mode ourself? We can use the relative method or the parallel method to do this.

Writing Modes: Relative Method

1. Write the note heads on the staff through an octave based on the letter in the title.

2. Ascertain the key signature related to the note based on the Greek name.

3. Add the accidentals based on the key signature.

Let's try it with G Dorian!

1. Write the notes through an octave based on the letter in the title:

G A B C D E F G.

2. Ascertain the key signature related to the note based on the Greek name:

Dorian means scale degree 2. The note G is scale degree 2 in the key of F major.

3. Add the accidentals based on the key signature:

F major uses one flat (Bb). This means G Dorian is G A Bb C D E F G.

G Dorian (Relative Method)

Fill in the Blanks

What are the notes in A Dorian?

Fill in the Blanks

What are the notes in C# Phrygian?

Writing Modes: Parallel Method

With the parallel method, all you have to do is analyze the mode to see what is raised or lowered (e.g. Dorian sounds like natural minor with a #6). You can use the major (ish) and minor (ish) groupings we created to help. Let's try this with G Dorian again.

Parallel Method

1. Figure out if the mode is a major (ish) or minor (ish) mode.

2. If it is a major (ish) mode, write a major scale based on the letter in the mode name. If it is a minor (ish) mode, write a natural minor scale based on the letter in the mode name.

3. Find which scale degrees need to be raised or lowered to fit the mode, and then change them.

Let's try it with G Dorian!

1. Figure out if the mode is a major (ish) or minor (ish) mode:

Dorian is a minor (ish) mode

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2. If it is a major (ish) mode, write a major scale based on the letter in the mode name. If it is a minor (ish) mode, write a natural minor scale based on the letter in the mode name:

G A Bb C D Eb F G

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3. Find which scale degrees need to be raised or lowered to fit the mode, and then change them:

Dorian uses #6. G Dorian is G A Bb C D E F G

G Dorian (Parallel Method)

Fill in the Blanks

What are the notes in C Lydian?

Fill in the Blanks

What are the notes in G Mixolydian?