Modal Exercises in "A"
Getting to know different types of scales.
There are dozens of modal scales in theory, but only a few of them are used most often in modern music. The following modes are based off of the major and minor scales. Each mode has a distinct quality and sound to it. These exercises can help you become more familiar with how they sound.
NOTE: Remember to use your metronome!
The “A Ionian”
(The 1st Mode) is also known as the common “major scale” in music. The notes in this scale come from the A major scale: A, B, C#, D, E, F# and G#. You can use all of the chords in the key of A to help with practicing this scale: A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m and G#°.
The “A Dorian”
(The 2nd Mode) is an interesting minor scale. The notes in this scale come from the G major scale: A, B, C, D, E, F# and G. You can use all of the chords in the key of G to help with practicing this scale: G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F#°.
The “A Phrygian”
(The 3rd Mode) is also an interesting minor scale. The notes in this scale come from the F major scale: A, Bb, C, D, E, F and G. You can use all of the chords in the key of F to help with practicing this scale: F, Gm, Am, Bb, C, Dm and E°.
The “A Lydian”
(The 4th Mode) is the same as a the Ionian scale except that it has a “#IV” (sharped fourth) in the scale. The notes in this scale come from the E major scale: A, B, C#, D#, E, F# and G#. You can use all of the chords in the key of E to help with practicing this scale: E, F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m and D#°.
The “A Mixolydian”
(The 5th Mode) is also the same as a the Ionian scale except that it has a “vii” (flatted or dominant 7th) in the scale. The notes in this scale come from the D major scale: A, B, C#, D, E, F# and G. You can use all of the chords in the key of D to help with practicing this scale: D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm and C#°.
The “A Aeolian”
(The 6th Mode) is the “relative minor” scale. The notes in this scale come from the C major scale: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. You can use all of the chords in the key of C to help with practicing this scale: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and B°.
The “A Locrian”
(The 7th Mode) is a diminished scale. It is a minor scale, but it also has a “v” (flatted 5th) in the scale. The notes in this scale come from the Bb major scale: A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F and G. You can use all of the chords in the key of Bb to help with practicing this scale: Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb, F, Gm and A°.
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Thank-you, Dave.