Incipit incipit

2019

Telecaster

Song

Published

Friday, May 31, 2019

Video

Theory

C Lydian is the fourth mode of the G major scale C Lydian Scale Notes: C D E F# G A B Lydian Scale Formula: 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 Lydian Scale Intervals: W W W H W W H

The Ionian Mode is the first mode of the major scale. They are essentially the same scale. C Ionian Scale Notes: C D E F G A B Ionian Scale Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ionian Scale Intervals: W W H W W W H

C Mixolydian is the fifth mode of the F major scale C Mixolydian Scale Notes: C D E F G A Bb Mixolydian Scale Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 Mixolydian Scale Intervals: W W H W W H W

C Dorian is the second mode of the Bb major scale C Dorian Scale Notes: C D Eb F G A Bb Dorian Scale Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 Dorian Scale Intervals: W H W W W H W

C Aeolian is the sixth mode of the Eb major scale C Aeolian Scale Notes: C D Eb F G Ab Bb Aeolian Scale Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 Aeolian Scale Intervals: W H W W H W W

C Phrygian is the third mode of the Ab major scale C Phrygian Scale Notes: C Db Eb F G Ab Bb Phrygian Scale Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 Phrygian Scale Intervals: H W W W H W W

C Locrian is the seventh mode of the Db major scale C Locrian Scale Notes: C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb Locrian Scale Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 Locrian Scale Intervals: H W W H W W W

Mnemonic: I Don’t Play Loud Music After Lectures

I: WWHWWWH D: WHWWWHW P: HWWWHWW L: WWWHWWH M: WWHWWHW A: WHWWHWW L: HWWHWWW

To Identify By Scale: Each mode corresponds to a scale degree of the major scale as follows (using the C Major Scale):

C - C, Ionian D - D, Dorian E - E, Phrygian F - F, Lydian G - G, Mixolydian A - A, Aeolian B - B, Locrian

To Identify by Pitch: Isolate two things - the tonic and the altered pitch. There are only five cases where a mode will present itself by key.

If your tonic is Major, there are only two possible modes:

Case 1: “The 4th scale degree is raised.” You’re in Lydian. Case 2: “The 7th scale degree is lowered.” You’re in Mixolydian.

If your tonic is Minor, there are only two possible modes:

Case 1: “The 6th scale degree is raised.” You’re in Dorian. Case 2: “The 2nd scale degree is lowered.” You’re in Phrygian. If none of these cases add up, you’re likely in some form of the Locrian mode, but we more often use a diminished scale. This is the most unusual case, so if you’re asked what mode you’re in and none of the above cases present themselves to you, it’s a good bet it’s Locrian.

Examples from personal opinions:

LYDIAN Joe Satriani: Flying in a Blue Dream Dream Theater: Strange Deja Vu Beatles: Blue Jay Way (lydian elements only)

MIXOLYDIAN Traditional: She Moved Through the Fair Traditional: Blackwaterside Beatles: Tomorrow Never Knows Beatles: She Said She Said Steve Earle: Copperhead Road Them (etc): Gloria Television: Marquee Moon Rolling Stones: The Last Time Beatles: Within You Without You (aeolian deviation in bridge) Countless rock songs employ mixolydian verses with major key choruses or bridges. Examples: Beatles - A Hard Days Night (and many others); G’nR - Sweet Child O’Mine; Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil. The Beatles’ Day Tripper is essentially a bunch of different mixolydian chords.

DORIAN Traditional: Scarborough Fair Traditional: What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor Miles Davis: So What John Coltrane: Impressions Tito Puente / Santana: Oye Como Va Herbie Hancock: Maiden Voyage [but is it? see below] Allman Brothers Band: In Memory of Elizabeth Reed Association: Along Comes Mary Michael Jackson: Thriller (mostly) Beatles: Love You To Lady Gaga: Telephone Manic Street Preachers: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky (mostly)

AEOLIAN Bob Dylan / Jimi Hendrix: All Along the Watchtower Kate Bush: Running Up That Hill Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter Sade: Smooth Operator (except for intro) Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit (vocal melody)

PHRYGIAN Pink Floyd: Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun Montell Jordan: This is How We Do It Kanye West: Clique Slade: Cuz I Love You Metallica: Wherever I May Roam (riff) Clash: London Calling (partly) Dr Who theme (partly) Jefferson Airplane: White Rabbit (phrygian dominant?)

LOCRIAN John Kirkpatrick: Dust to Dust

Video

Theory

Interesting mixtures or partially modal tunes