Modes in Music: What Are They & When Should You Use Them?

At its core, modes in music are variations of a scale, with a different tonal center. So, while the notes may be exactly the same as another scale, its unique tonal center is what gives it a different feel or vibe. Modes are often used in composition and improvisation.

And it makes perfect sense to use them in certain musical contexts in jazz, classical, rock, and world music. However, they’re not always the best option for every situation.

Here’s my personal take from experience on how and when to use them best.

Let’s dive in.

Key Takeaways

• Modes, like scales are specific sets of pitches and each has its own vibe.
• They’re effective for improvisation, but aren’t always the go-to choice, especially if the chord changes are moving fast.
• Exploring alternate strategies can provide more freedom and creative options for improvisation.

TL;DR

If you’re short on time, check out an old but still relevant video of mine on when it’s best to use modes.

What Are Modes In Music?

Modes in music are specific types of scales. Typically they’re derived from the same notes of a 7-note scale, such as the major scale or a melodic minor scale.

While a mode may share the exact same notes as another scale, the tonal center of a mode is unique to itself. This gives each mode a unique vibe.

For example, the Lydian mode feels like a morning sunrise to me, while the Locrian mode has a dark exotic sound to it.

Let’s take a look at the modes of the major scale and the modes of the melodic minor sale.

The Modes of the Major Scale

To keep things simple, we’ll use the notes of a C Major scale to find our 7 modes. In order to do this, we’ll use the same series of notes, but start on a different scale degree.

When you’re first starting out, you’ll probably be always relating a mode to its origin scale. But, as you become familiar with the sound of a mode, I recommend that you learn it as a scale on its own. This will strengthen your understanding of the mode and you’ll be more inclined to focus on the correct tonal center of the mode.

Let’s take a look at the modes of a C Major scale and learn their whole-step (W) and half-step (H) formulas so that you can apply these shapes to any key.

Mode 1: Major Scale (Ionian Scale)

• C Major Scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
• Formula: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
• Try this over a: C major chord

Mode 2: Dorian Scale

• D Dorian Scale: D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D
• Formula: W-H-W-W-W-H-W
• Try this over a: D minor 7 chord

Mode 3: Phrygian Scale

• E Phrygian Scale: E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E
• Formula: H-W-W-W-H-W-W
• Try this over a: E minor 7♭9 chord

Mode 4: Lydian Scale

• F Lydian Scale: F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F
• Formula: W-W-W-H-W-W-H
• Try this over a: F major 7♯11 chord

Mode 5: Mixolydian Scale

• G Mixolydian Scale: G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G
• Formula: W-W-H-W-W-H-W
• Try this over a: G 7 chord

Mode 6: Aeolian Scale

• A Aeolian Scale: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A
• Formula: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
• Try this over a: A minor 7♭13 chord

Mode 7: Locrian Scale

• B Locrian Scale: B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B
• Formula: H-W-W-H-W-W-W
• Try this over a: B minor 7♭5 chord

The Modes of the Melodic Minor Scale

To extract the modes of the melodic minor scale, we’ll use the same method as before with the major scale (one mode for each scale degree). We’ll also continue to apply the whole-step (W) and half-step (H) pattern for each of these modal scales. All examples will be in the key of C.

Mode 1: Melodic Minor Scale

• C Melodic Minor Scale: C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B, C
• Formula: W-H-W-W-W-W-H
• Try this over a: C minor 6 chord

Mode 2: Dorian Flat 2 Scale

• D Dorian Flat 2 Scale: D, E♭, F, G, A, B, C, D
• Formula: H-W-W-W-W-H-W
• Try this over a: D minor 7♭9 chord

Mode 3: Lydian Augmented Scale

• E♭ Lydian Augmented Scale: E♭, F, G, A, B, C, D, E♭
• Formula: W-W-W-W-H-W-H
• Try this over a: E major 7♯5 chord

Mode 4: Lydian Dominant Scale

• F Lydian Dominant Scale: F, G, A, B, C, D, E♭, F
• Formula: W-W-W-H-W-H-W
• Try this over a: F 7♯11 chord

Mode 5: Mixolydian Flat 6 Scale

• G Mixolydian Flat 6 Scale: G, A, B, C, D, E♭, F, G
• Formula: W-W-H-W-H-W-W
• Try this over a: G 7♯13 chord

Mode 6: Locrian Natural 2 Scale

• A Locrian Natural 2 Scale: A, B, C, D, E♭, F, G, A
• Formula: W-H-W-H-W-W-W
• Try this over a: A minor 7♭5 chord

Mode 7: Super Locrian Scale (Altered Scale)

• B Super Locrian Scale: B, C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B
• Formula: H-W-H-W-W-W-H
• Try this over a: B altered 7 chord

When Does It Make The Most Sense To Use Modes?

Think of the modes as moods or certain vibes. Having that said, in order to establish a mood or a vibe, most (if not all) notes of a mode need to be sounded in order to establish a a sound.

Whenever chord changes are moving quickly, such as one-chord-per-beat or one-chord-every-two-beats, there is not enough time to really feel the essence of a mode.

This is my personal opinion from experience. Modes are best used when chords are sustained for one or more measures.

Alternate Strategies To Modes When Soloing Over Chord Changes

When soloing over chord changes, relying solely on modes can be limiting.

Here are some alternate strategies when your faced with navigating chord changes that are moving quickly, like Rhythm Changes:

• Approach notes or Target notes: Focusing on approaching important notes allows you to navigate fast moving changes with ease.
• Arpeggios: Using arpeggios involves playing the individual notes of a chord in sequence. This technique helps you outline the harmony and adds a more structured feel to your solos.
• Chord Tones: Focusing on the notes of the chord you are playing over ensures that your solos are harmonically strong. Emphasizing chord tones, especially on strong beats, helps to create a cohesive solo.
• Blues Scales: These scales add a bluesy feel to your solos. The blues scale can be used over major, minor, and dominant chords, providing a gritty and expressive sound.
• Motifs and Themes: Developing a small, simple musical idea throughout your solo can create a sense of unity and keep the listener engaged. Repeating and varying a motif makes your solo more memorable. Different chunks of harmonic movements can lend themselves to shifting melodic motifs.
• Chromaticism: Adding chromatic notes—notes that are a half-step away from the target note—can create tension and interesting melodic lines. Use these passing tones sparingly to add color and variation.
• Pentatonic Scales: These five-note scales are versatile and can be applied over various chord types. For example, the minor pentatonic scale can fit over minor and dominant chords.
• Simplifying the chord changes: Simplify the changes enough, you can then use modes again. While this approach won’t give your lines the most harmonic clarity, you can still imply the harmony this way.

By incorporating these techniques, you can create more expressive and interesting solos. Explore and practice these strategies to expand your musical vocabulary and enhance your improvisational skills.

Now It’s Your Turn

Modes in music are musical scales that can establish a mood, especially if you have the time to do so.

In theory and practice, modes can be used during intros and outros to tunes, chords that are sustained for a duration of time, drones, and whenever you’re soloing on by yourself. Be sure to always feel and hear your modes as their own unique tonal center.

Discover more bass guitar lessons like this, here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Modes in music offer unique tonal qualities that have been used since ancient times. Understanding these can enrich your musical skills and knowledge.