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Modes

A mode is a term used to define a set of notes or a melody, an example being the “ionian” mode aka Major Scale or Major Key.

  • A scale can be thought of as belonging to a particular mode
  • A song, or passage of music can be thought of as being in a particular mode

If a piece of music is in a particular mode, this means that the “root” chord, and other chords in the song generally correspond to a that mode.

The modes are:

Ionian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Dorian
Aeolian
Phrygian
Locrian