The Modes
Same notes, a different tonic
Dorian
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
- From C
- C D E♭ F G A B♭
- Where it is used
- A minor mode with a bright major sixth.
Phrygian
- Formula
- 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
- From C
- C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭
- Where it is used
- A minor mode marked by its lowered second.
Lydian
- Formula
- 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7
- From C
- C D E F♯ G A B
- Where it is used
- A major mode with a raised fourth.
Mixolydian
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7
- From C
- C D E F G A B♭
- Where it is used
- A major mode with a lowered seventh.
Locrian
- Formula
- 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7
- From C
- C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭
- Where it is used
- The only church mode whose tonic triad is diminished.
Other chapters: Triads · Sixths and Added Notes · Seventh Chords · Extended and Altered Chords · Major and Minor Scales · Pentatonic and Blues · Symmetrical Scales · Jazz Scales · Color Scales
Chord symbols and voicings vary by style. No chord–scale pairing is right in every context.
Open the Chords and Scales →