Properties of Musical Modes - Mode Characteristics

Mode Characteristics

Each mode has a characteristic scale degree and certain harmonic structures that give each its distinctive sound. Although the names are of Greek origin, the tone sequences are different from Greek modes with similar names.

• The Ionian mode is the only mode whose dominant seventh chord type occurs naturally on the fifth scale degree, as V7. Without further clarification, "major mode" or just "major" refers to the Ionian mode.

• The Dorian mode has a characteristic raised sixth relative to the Aeolian mode--or a ♭3 and ♭7 relative to the Ionian--which produces a major IV chord and a minor II chord. The dominant seventh chord in this mode occurs on the fourth scale degree, as IV7.

• The Phrygian mode has a lowered second relative to Aeolian--or a ♭2, ♭3, ♭6, and ♭7 relative to the Ionian--which creates its characteristic ♭II major and v diminished chords. The dominant seventh chord in this mode occurs on the third scale degree, as III7.

• The Lydian mode has a raised fourth (♯4) relative to the Ionian, and creates a iv diminished, vii minor, and a II major chord. The dominant seventh chord in this mode occurs on the second scale degree, as II7.

• The Mixolydian mode has a lowered seventh (♭7) relative to the Ionian. The dominant seventh chord in this mode therefore occurs on the tonic, as I7. Other characteristic chords are v minor, and a VII major chord. There is also a iii dim chord, but it is not used extensively in modal compositions.

• The Aeolian mode has a ♭3, ♭6, and ♭7 relative to Ionian. The dominant seventh chord in this mode occurs on the seventh scale degree, as VII7. Its other characteristic chords are the minor iv and v chords. There is a subtle distinction between an Aeolian modal composition and a composition in a minor key, because the sixth and seventh degrees in a minor key can be altered to create major IV and V chords. The Aeolian mode is also more commonly known as the Natural (Pure) minor scale. In cases where the Aeolian mode has the same key signature as a particular major key but with a different tonic, it is referred to as the relative minor scale. For example, A Aeolian is the relative minor of the C major scale.

• The Locrian mode has lowered second and fifth scale degrees relative to the Aeolian and has a diminished i chord. It is highly unstable, and its diminished i chord makes establishing tonality in the mode nearly impossible. The few pieces written in this mode usually used an altered i minor chord (B-D-F♯) to establish the tonal center, and then used the minor iii (D-F-A) and major V chord (F-A-C) to establish the modality. Omitting the fifth degree when using the i chord is another option. The dominant seventh chord in this mode occurs on the sixth scale degree, as VI7.