Arabic Numbers, Greek Names and Roman Numerals.
Arabic numbers symbolize "tones" (scale-degrees) and every scale has as many modes as it has tones. The major scale has 7 tones (1234567) and therefore 7 modes.
These 7 tones and modes are given Greek names: tone 1 is called Ionian, tone 2 is Dorian, tone 3 Phrygian, tone 4 Lydian, tone 5 Mixolydian, tone 6 Aeolian and tone 7 Locrian.
Major modes (the subject of this lesson) may be thought of as the major scale starting on each tone of the scale (displaced) or as the major scale with sharp and flat tones added (altered). Let's look at this more closely.
We'll begin with the "displaced" D dorian mode which starts on tone 2 of the C major scale:
Now we can arrive at these same letters, but different tones by using the "altered" major scale concept. Alter means to sharp (#) or flat (b) a scale tone. For example, if we begin with the tones and letters of the D major scale:
and then flat tone 3 and tone 7, we create the D dorian mode:
The following altered major scale modes are shown as tones into the third octave:
Ionian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Dorian 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 8 9 b10 11 12 13 b14 15 16 b17
Phrygian 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8 b9 b10 11 12 b13 b14 15 b16 b17
Lydian 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 8 9 10 #11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Mixolydian 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 8 9 10 11 12 13 b14 15 16 17
Aeolian 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8 9 b10 11 12 b13 b14 15 16 b17
Locrian 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 8 b9 b10 11 b12 b13 b14 15 b16 b17.
Each of these altered major modes are associated with a specific chord of major scale harmony and Roman numerals symbolize these chords. The I, IV and V chords are major; the ii, iii and vi are minor and the vii is diminished. Remember to begin the modes on the letter name of the chord. The following illustrates the chord and mode relationships in C major:
'Til next time, study your Arabic Numbers, Greek Names and Roman Numerals ~ I'll be listening!
GRAMMY nominated Music Educator Mike Overly easily combines the worlds of deeply-rooted academic study with a well-textured performance resume. His pathbreaking 12 Tone Music Publishing products, including the newly released Tone Note® Music Method for Guitar, provide valuable illuminating insights while simplifying the learning process. Join Mike at www.12tonemusic.com to explore and expand your knowledge of these two iconic instruments through a variety of reviews and interviews, tips and tricks and free lessons of remarkable originality, all presented in a family-friendly forum. Plus, as an added bonus, you get to follow Mr. Pick as he introduces you to fun fretboard games, jokes, riddles, quotes and more. Be sure to read the 12 Tone Music Blog where Mike offers a behind-the-scenes look at the development of his unique approach to solving the problems of modern musical notation and traditional guitar and bass methods. Mike Overly's unmatched perspective on fretboard education has something for everyone ~ from the amateur hobbyist to the serious professional player ~ as well as any music enthusiast who wants to come along for the ride.
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These 7 tones and modes are given Greek names: tone 1 is called Ionian, tone 2 is Dorian, tone 3 Phrygian, tone 4 Lydian, tone 5 Mixolydian, tone 6 Aeolian and tone 7 Locrian.
Major modes (the subject of this lesson) may be thought of as the major scale starting on each tone of the scale (displaced) or as the major scale with sharp and flat tones added (altered). Let's look at this more closely.
We'll begin with the "displaced" D dorian mode which starts on tone 2 of the C major scale:
| Tones: | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Letters: | D | E | F | G | A | B | C | D |
Now we can arrive at these same letters, but different tones by using the "altered" major scale concept. Alter means to sharp (#) or flat (b) a scale tone. For example, if we begin with the tones and letters of the D major scale:
| Tones: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Letters: | D | E | F# | G | A | B | C# | D |
and then flat tone 3 and tone 7, we create the D dorian mode:
| Tones: | 1 | 2 | b3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | b7 | 8 |
| Letters: | D | E | F | G | A | B | C | D |
The following altered major scale modes are shown as tones into the third octave:
Ionian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Dorian 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 8 9 b10 11 12 13 b14 15 16 b17
Phrygian 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8 b9 b10 11 12 b13 b14 15 b16 b17
Lydian 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 8 9 10 #11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Mixolydian 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 8 9 10 11 12 13 b14 15 16 17
Aeolian 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8 9 b10 11 12 b13 b14 15 16 b17
Locrian 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 8 b9 b10 11 b12 b13 b14 15 b16 b17.
Each of these altered major modes are associated with a specific chord of major scale harmony and Roman numerals symbolize these chords. The I, IV and V chords are major; the ii, iii and vi are minor and the vii is diminished. Remember to begin the modes on the letter name of the chord. The following illustrates the chord and mode relationships in C major:
| Tones: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Chords: | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii dim |
| Key of C: | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | Bdim |
| Modes: | Ionian | Dorian | Phrygian | Lydian | Lydian | Lydian |
'Til next time, study your Arabic Numbers, Greek Names and Roman Numerals ~ I'll be listening!
GRAMMY nominated Music Educator Mike Overly easily combines the worlds of deeply-rooted academic study with a well-textured performance resume. His pathbreaking 12 Tone Music Publishing products, including the newly released Tone Note® Music Method for Guitar, provide valuable illuminating insights while simplifying the learning process. Join Mike at www.12tonemusic.com to explore and expand your knowledge of these two iconic instruments through a variety of reviews and interviews, tips and tricks and free lessons of remarkable originality, all presented in a family-friendly forum. Plus, as an added bonus, you get to follow Mr. Pick as he introduces you to fun fretboard games, jokes, riddles, quotes and more. Be sure to read the 12 Tone Music Blog where Mike offers a behind-the-scenes look at the development of his unique approach to solving the problems of modern musical notation and traditional guitar and bass methods. Mike Overly's unmatched perspective on fretboard education has something for everyone ~ from the amateur hobbyist to the serious professional player ~ as well as any music enthusiast who wants to come along for the ride.