The seven modes are the seven scales you get by starting the major-scale pattern from each of its degrees. Same notes, different home, different color.
Dorian is minor with a raised 6th (the Scarborough Fair sound). Phrygian darkens minor with a lowered 2nd. Lydian brightens major with a raised 4th. Mixolydian relaxes major with a lowered 7th, the backbone of rock and blues.
Recognizing a mode by ear means catching its one or two character notes against the familiar major or minor background. The trainer isolates exactly that comparison.
| Mode | Pattern | Character note |
|---|---|---|
| Ionian | W - W - H - W - W - W - H | the plain major scale |
| Dorian | W - H - W - W - W - H - W | raised 6th over minor |
| Phrygian | H - W - W - W - H - W - W | lowered 2nd |
| Lydian | W - W - W - H - W - W - H | raised 4th |
| Mixolydian | W - W - H - W - W - H - W | lowered 7th over major |
| Aeolian | W - H - W - W - H - W - W | the natural minor |
| Locrian | H - W - W - H - W - W - W | lowered 2nd and 5th |
Common questions
What are the 7 modes in order?
Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian: the major scale started from its 1st through 7th degrees.
What makes Dorian different from natural minor?
One note: the 6th degree is raised. That single brightened note gives Dorian its hopeful-minor character.