Here are how I characterize different musical modes:
- (M) Ionian or Major – Bright and joyful. ...
- (m) Aeolian or Minor – Sad and oppressive. ...
- (m) Dorian – A minor-type of scale that is slightly sad but very hopeful. ...
- (m) Phrygian – Dark and tension-filled. ...
- (M) Lydian – Mystical and mainly used in jazz.
- What are the characteristics of modal music?
- How do you identify modes?
- How do modes work?
- Are modes keys?
What are the characteristics of modal music?
Musical modes are a type of scale with distinct melodic characteristics. The 7 modes, Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian, come from the earliest forms of western music. Before we figured out the math for dividing the octave into 12 equal tones, we had to make do with an imperfect system.
How do you identify modes?
Identifying modes
- Identify the quality of tonic. Listen for the tonic pitch. ...
- Listen and look for ^7 . Compare the ^7 to the leading tone a half-step below tonic that we typically hear in minor and major songs. ...
- Listen and look for other raised color notes—^4 in major, and ^6 in minor.
How do modes work?
A Mode is a type of scale. For example, Modes are alternative tonalities (scales) that can be derived from the familiar major scale by starting on a different scale tone. Music that uses the traditional major scale can be said to be in the Ionian Mode.
Are modes keys?
In music theory, the term mode or modus is used in a number of distinct senses, depending on context. ... It is applied to major and minor keys as well as the seven diatonic modes (including the former as Ionian and Aolian) which are defined by their starting note or tonic.