So like, scales have modal windows where they answer questions?
In this tutorial, we are going to talk about modal scales. So, let's have some fun.
2. Modal scales explained
Modal scales are something that may seem weird at first, but in the end, they are pretty easy to understand.
Let's consider the C major scale. As you know, it consists of the C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C notes. And since there are 7 different notes in a scale, you can actually form a different scale with each and every one of them.
What I mean by that is the following. Let's play all the notes from the C major scale, but instead of starting with C, let's start with D. The resulting scale will contain the following notes: D, E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. As you can see, the formula for this scale is different than the formula for either a major scale or a minor scale.
What we have here is an example of a modal scale. More precisely, it's an example of a Dorian scale, D Dorian to be exact.
And that is exactly what modal scales are. They are scales obtained by playing the notes of a major scale, starting on each of the 7 different notes of the said major scale.
Since there are 7 different notes in a scale, you can have 7 different modal scales, which have the following names:
Let's check them out, one by one. The Dorian scale formula looks like this:
What that formula above means is that, in order to obtain a D Dorian scale, you need to flatten the 3rd and 7th notes of the D major scale.
The Phrygian scale formula is the following:
This time around, you have to flatten the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th notes of the major scale.
The Lydian scale formula is a bit easier:
As you can see, you need to sharpen the fourth note of the major scale in order to obtain the Lydian version of it.
The Mixolydian scale formula is also fairly easy:
As you can see, you need to flatten the 7th note and presto, it is done.
The Aeolian scale formula is the following one:
You'll have to flatten the 3rd, 6th and 7th notes for this one.
And finally, the Locrian scale has the following formula:
That about covers it for this tutorial. In the next one, we are going to talk about harmonic minor scale modes. See you then.
- Topics of discussion
- Modal scales explained
In this tutorial, we are going to talk about modal scales. So, let's have some fun.
2. Modal scales explained
Modal scales are something that may seem weird at first, but in the end, they are pretty easy to understand.
Let's consider the C major scale. As you know, it consists of the C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C notes. And since there are 7 different notes in a scale, you can actually form a different scale with each and every one of them.
What I mean by that is the following. Let's play all the notes from the C major scale, but instead of starting with C, let's start with D. The resulting scale will contain the following notes: D, E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. As you can see, the formula for this scale is different than the formula for either a major scale or a minor scale.
What we have here is an example of a modal scale. More precisely, it's an example of a Dorian scale, D Dorian to be exact.
And that is exactly what modal scales are. They are scales obtained by playing the notes of a major scale, starting on each of the 7 different notes of the said major scale.
Since there are 7 different notes in a scale, you can have 7 different modal scales, which have the following names:
- Ionian scale - this is basically the major scale, which is obtained by playing the notes from the major scale starting on the root note; for example, C major can also be referred to as C Ionian
- Dorian scale - this one is obtained by playing all the notes from the major scale, starting on the second note; in the case of C major, its associated Dorian modal scale would be D Dorian
- Phrygian scale - this one is obtained by playing the notes from the major scale starting on the third note; in the case of C major, its associated Phrygian scale would be E Phrygian
- Lydian scale - obtained by playing the notes of the major scale starting on the fourth note; in the case of C major, its associated Lydian scale is F Lydian
- Mixolydian scale - obtained by playing the notes of the major scale starting on the fifth note; in case of C major, its associated Lydian scale is G Mixolydian
- Aeolian scale - obtained by playing the notes of the major scale starting on the sixth note; this is basically the minor relative scale and in the case of C major, that translates to A Aeolian or A minor
- Locrian scale - formed on the seventh note of the major scale; for C major, its associated Locrian scale is B Locrian
Let's check them out, one by one. The Dorian scale formula looks like this:
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
What that formula above means is that, in order to obtain a D Dorian scale, you need to flatten the 3rd and 7th notes of the D major scale.
The Phrygian scale formula is the following:
1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
This time around, you have to flatten the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th notes of the major scale.
The Lydian scale formula is a bit easier:
1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7
As you can see, you need to sharpen the fourth note of the major scale in order to obtain the Lydian version of it.
The Mixolydian scale formula is also fairly easy:
1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7
As you can see, you need to flatten the 7th note and presto, it is done.
The Aeolian scale formula is the following one:
1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
You'll have to flatten the 3rd, 6th and 7th notes for this one.
And finally, the Locrian scale has the following formula:
1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7
That about covers it for this tutorial. In the next one, we are going to talk about harmonic minor scale modes. See you then.
