great: So lets start now...
We are going to start with basic Modes while we get used to learning keys...
Modes are variated scales that are related to a scale.. depending on the scale and degree of the scale you are in...
a Major scale (tonal) can be studied in many ways..
C major is the best example...
1,2,3,4,5,6,7 (all white keys in a piano)
between C and D there is a whole step.. because C and D share C#...
E to F dont share anything so there is a half step in between..
I guess you know all of this but I want to make sure that is explained well before we go on...
So, a mode would be, if we start a scale from a degree.. lets say the 2nd degree of C is D (or second note of the scale)... so if we start a D scale without changing the key, we would still have C major but starting with D.. that is called D dorian
Dorian would be 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7
notice how we use flat numbers but in classical writing there are no flats, it is just a way of saying that if we had to play a 3rd note starting on D, it would be F... and F is a minor third if we think in D...
this is how it would be if we are in the key of C:
C = C, D, E, F, G, A, B = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Ionian
D = D, E, F, G, A, B, C = 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7 Dorian
E = E, F, G, A, B, C, D = 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7 Phrygian
F = F, G, A, B, C, D, E = 1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7 Lydian
G = G, A, B, C, D, E, F = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7 Mixolydian
A = A, B, C, D, E, F, G = 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7 Aoelian
B = B, C, D, E, F, G, A = 1, b2, b3, 4, b5, b6, b7 Locrian
dont get confused with scales... a D scale contains F# and C#, so a D mode in C does not contain any accidental...
the circle of fifths are perfect fifth intervals starting with C
so..
C does not have accidentals
the 5th of C is G
G contains F#... how do we know that??
we start by going from C.. so after that... whatever comes after would have an additional note that is previous to the previous note... I know it sounds complicated but it is not
This would be a circle: F, C, G, D,
so, G has a C previous, you dont change that but the previous to the previous would be F... so now you need an F#
so, D, has a G previous, we dont change that but the previous to the previous would be C, so now we add F# and C#... and so on..
Circle of fifths:
C (___)
G (F#)
D (F#, C#)
A (F#, C#, G#)
E (F#, C#, G#, D#)
B (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#)
F# (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)
C# (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#)
right now i want you to focus on the circle of fiths and later on we will work on 4ths..
learn the circle of fifths...
so... your assignment would be the next:
I have attached a PDF and .MUS (finale file).. and a MIDI file... check out the PDF first if you cant open it in finale...
in the PDF I use the C scale through the whole circle of fifths... it starts going to C# instead of C when the circle hits D..
I also added what C is as a mode in every tonality (or Key or scale, however you want to call it)
So, write on Midi or Finale, the D scale using it through the whole circle of fifths the same way i did with C major.. and when you are done.. do all the other ones until C#
dont use flats, unless your sequencer dont let you use sharps for some reason.
if you can, write here or anywhere else, what function is the scale doing
example D in the key of G would be the fifth degree, therefor it should be called a D mixolydian
