A BEGINNER GUIDE TO MODES

Here are a few charts to help break down modes, including scale patterns, chord patterns, and the characteristic “colour
note / chord” within each scale. Just like with the idea of parallel major and minor scales, you can choose to write solely
within one scale (say, D dorian), OR you can borrow a chord from a parallel mode while still using chords from your
original scale (i.e., writing in F minor [aeolian] and using a Db major chord, but also using a Bb major chord, borrowed
from Dorian mode).

The Modes by Numeric Pattern

(Rose boxes indicate the scale’s ‘colour note’ or what gives it its character; blue boxes show a potential secondary colour
note.)
MODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

IONIAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

DORIAN 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

PHRYGIAN 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

LYDIAN 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7

MIXOLYDIAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7

AEOLIAN 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

LOCRIAN 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7

IONIAN mode is the major scale, so this mode begins on the 1st degree of the major scale.
DORIAN mode begins on the 2nd scale degree of the relative ionian mode (major scale)
PHRYGIAN mode begins on the 3rd scale degree of the relative ionian mode (major scale)
LYDIAN mode begins on the 4th scale degree of the relative ionian mode (major scale)
MIXOLYDIAN mode begins on the 5th scale degree of the relative ionian mode (major scale)
AEOLIAN mode (minor scale) begins on the 6th degree of the relative ionian mode (major scale).
LOCRIAN mode begins on the 7th degree of the relative ionian mode (major scale).

Kerry Leva - A Beginner Guide to Modes ! November 2015

So, using the B major scale (ionian mode) as a point of reference, here’s how that breaks down (with colour notes
indicated as they have been above):

MODE 1st note 2nd note 3rd note 4th note 5th note 6th note 7th note

IONIAN B C# D# E F# G# A#

DORIAN C# D# E F# G# A# B

PHRYGIAN D# E F# G# A# B C#

LYDIAN E F# G# A# B C# D#

MIXOLYDIAN F# G# A# B C# D# E

AEOLIAN G# A# B C# D# E F#

LOCRIAN A# B C# D# E F# G#

SCALE PATTERNS

MODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1

IONIAN R W W H W W W H

DORIAN R W H W W W H W

PHRYGIAN R H W W W H W W

LYDIAN R W W W H W W H

MIXOLYDIAN R W W H W W H W

AEOLIAN R W H W W H W W

LOCRIAN R H W W H W W W

Kerry Leva - A Beginner Guide to Modes ! November 2015

 The Chords Within Each Scale
(A rose box highlights the “colour chord” of each scale, with a blue box showing a potential secondary colour chord.)

MODE 1 Chord 2 Chord 3 Chord 4 Chord 5 Chord 6 Chord 7 Chord

IONIAN Major Minor Minor Major Major Minor Diminished

DORIAN Minor Minor Major Major Minor Diminished Major

PHRYGIAN Minor Major Major Minor Diminished Major Minor

LYDIAN Major Major Minor Diminished Major Minor Minor

MIXOLYDIAN Major Minor Diminished Major Minor Minor Major

AEOLIAN Minor Diminished Major Minor Minor Major Major

LOCRIAN Diminished Major Minor Minor Major Major Minor

The Chords Expressed as Roman Numerals

(Note: a ‘b’ before a Roman numeral indicates ‘flat,’ or a minor interval from the root of the scale.)
MODE 1 Chord 2 Chord 3 Chord 4 Chord 5 Chord 6 Chord 7 Chord

IONIAN I ii iii IV V vi vii°

DORIAN i ii bIII IV v vi° bVII

PHRYGIAN i bII bIII iv v° bVI bVII

LYDIAN I II iii iv° V vi vii

MIXOLYDIAN I ii iii° IV v vi VII

AEOLIAN i ii° bIII iv v bVI bVII

LOCRIAN i° bII biii iv bV bVI bvii

Kerry Leva - A Beginner Guide to Modes ! November 2015

Remember, all of these “modes” are simply contrived by taking the exact order of notes that are found in a major (or
minor) scale and starting the pattern from a different note other than the ‘root.’ By making, for example, E the root of your
scale and playing through the C major scale starting on E, you get a different-sounding scale and different possible chord
progression ideas, since E becomes your root, and your ‘1’ chord now is Em, not C major.

Some examples of modal songs:

Radiohead, ‘Everything In Its Right Place’ (C Phrygian, but with a I chord instead of a i chord)
Kendrick Lamar, ‘How Much A Dollar Cost’ (F Phrygian, but also with a I chord instead of a i chord)
Coldplay, ‘Clocks’ (Eb Mixolydian - many of Coldplay’s songs are written in Mixolydian mode)
Imagine Dragons, ‘Radioactive’ (B Dorian)
Hybrid, ‘Formula Of Fear;’ ‘Just For Today;’ ‘Choke;’ ‘Break My Soul’ - all of their songs are great examples of advanced
harmonic composition, as they constantly borrow chords from parallel scales (for example, a I chord with a IV chord and a
bII and a bVII chord).

Kerry Leva - A Beginner Guide to Modes ! November 2015