What is a scale? A scale is a collection of sounds that when heard or played happen in a stepwise fashion, on a keyboard or piano, following a particular shape that jumps small intervals of consecutive notes. The scale name always gets named after one of the first seven letters of the alphabet, usually specified by spelling out a major or minor scale like C minor or A major. The kind of scale we choose depends on the starting point and the distance of each jump. The historically oldest scales, still used in jazz and some pop music, are called modes.
I have created a graphic that shows all the white note modes. What are all those letters showing “h” and “w” below the keys? The “h” represents a “half step” or a “semitone” which is the shortest distance possible on the keyboard. The “w” represents a “whole tone” that is easy to draw since we don’t need to point to a black note. Not yet.
Demystifying scales and modes from a book I am working on.
What’s different about the order of the modes listed below? There Is an important distinction. It’s conventional to list the modes starting with Ionian or Dorian.
Six reasons I prefer starting the order with Aeolian.
First, because the music A-G Alphabet lines up on A for Aeolian and D for Dorian.
Second, because it is convenient when explaining the relative minor: the key signature comes from the Ionian Mode (Major Scale).
Third, it explains why so many classic songs in minor keys use the flat seven when classical theory tells us to raise the seventh.
Fourth, the common chords of I, IV and V can be seen at a glance for both Minor and Major.
Fifth, students tend to forget Locrian so this order introduces it sooner.
Sixth, its easier to come up with a memory aid see below
- Aeolian natural minor
- Locrian
- Ionian Major Scale
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
Memory Aid using first letters I devised for students
A-L-I-D Ph-Ly-Mix
pronounced alid fly mix