Music modes explained
Seven moods from the same seven notes. Step through the white keys and hear how moving “home” changes everything.
D Dorian
minor with a raised 6th · characteristic note: ♮6 · minor but hopeful, funky
D1W
E2H
F♭3W
G4W
A5W
B6H
C♭7W
Degrees compared with the major scale on the same tonic; altered degrees are lit. W/H = step to the next note.
One scale, seven starting points
Play C to C on the white keys and you hear the major scale. Now play the same white keys from D to D. Nothing changed except the starting note, yet it sounds minor, with a lift in the 6th. That’s D Dorian. Starting on each of the seven white keys gives the seven modes.
The reason is the two half steps (E–F and B–C). Wherever you start, they land in different positions relative to home, and that pattern of W and H steps is what your ear hears as the mode’s mood. The “Same tonic” view makes this easier to hear: every mode starts on the same note, so only the altered degrees change.
A drone on the tonic, as in the button above, is the best way to practise modes: it fixes home in your ear so the characteristic note stands out.
| Mode | Starts on | Compared with major | Heard in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ionian | degree 1 | the major scale | Most major-key pop, “Twinkle Twinkle” |
| Dorian | degree 2 | minor with a raised 6th | “Scarborough Fair”, “Oye Como Va” |
| Phrygian | degree 3 | minor with a lowered 2nd | Flamenco, many metal riffs |
| Lydian | degree 4 | major with a raised 4th | The Simpsons theme, film scores |
| Mixolydian | degree 5 | major with a lowered 7th | “Sweet Child o’ Mine” riff, “Norwegian Wood” |
| Aeolian | degree 6 | the natural minor scale | Most minor-key pop and rock |
| Locrian | degree 7 | diminished, with ♭2 and ♭5 | Occasional metal and jazz passages |
Dorian and Mixolydian have full pages in the scale explorer — try D Dorian or G Mixolydian.
Questions
What are the modes in music?
Seven scales made by starting the major scale on each of its notes: Ionian (1st), Dorian (2nd), Phrygian (3rd), Lydian (4th), Mixolydian (5th), Aeolian (6th) and Locrian (7th). Play only white keys from D to D and you get D Dorian; from G to G, G Mixolydian.
How do I remember the order of the modes?
A common mnemonic is “I Don’t Play Loud Music At Lunch” — Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian.
Which modes are major and which are minor?
Ionian, Lydian and Mixolydian have a major 3rd, so they sound major. Dorian, Phrygian and Aeolian have a minor 3rd and sound minor. Locrian has a minor 3rd and a diminished 5th.
What is the difference between D Dorian and C major?
They contain the same notes, but D Dorian treats D as home. Melodies resolve to D and the chords centre on Dm, so the half steps fall in different places relative to the tonic and it sounds minor rather than major.