How To Finally Learn Modes (They're Not Scary)
Modes terrified me for years. I’d see composers casually mention “Dorian” or “Mixolydian” and feel like I was missing some secret knowledge that everyone else had.
Like many musicians, I originally studied modes the traditional way by playing each successive white key scale on the keyboard and got thoroughly confused.
Then I watched Charles Cornell break down the seven modes in a way that actually made sense to me. I realized they’re just different types of scales - not some mystical music theory wizardry.
But watching a video isn’t the same as internalizing it. I needed to build my own learning tools to actually remember and use them. Here’s what I made to help me memorize and understand the seven modes.
Modes Are Just Scales
For me, the key to cracking the modes code was understanding the interval relationships of each.
As I mentioned, the seven modes are just different types of scales. Each one has a different sequence of intervals that musically communicates different emotions. The trick is knowing which intervals get altered in a given modal scale. That’s the modes code. Each one has its own unique interval pattern.
Want to hear how powerful this is? Try playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in C major (Ionian), then play it again in C Dorian—just flat the 3rd (E becomes Eb). That single note transforms it from bright and cheerful to wistful and contemplative.
The best way to see these patterns is to create them all in the key of C major. By identifying each mode within the same key, I was able to see and hear each one from the same starting point. That allowed me to clearly understand what changed from mode to mode.
Making My Own Modes
First, I listed out the seven modes in order and their respective interval relationships.
Ionian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Dorian 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Phrygian 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Lydian 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
Mixolydian 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Aeolian 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Locrian 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Then I sketched each one on my MIDI keyboard. As I created them, I took screenshots of each modal scale and saved them to my hard drive. Along with each screenshot I created a matching audio file so that I could reference and practice them anywhere.
Modes and Moods
Understanding modes has unlocked a whole new world of melody and harmony for me. They really are the secret sauce to composing with emotional intent.
Here are some commonly associated emotions/moods for each mode:
Ionian (Major scale)
• Happy, bright, resolved, stable
• Classic “major key” sound
• Use: Uplifting, positive, triumphant music
Dorian
• Melancholic but hopeful, sophisticated, jazzy
• Minor with a brighter edge than natural minor
• Use: Contemplative, cool, slightly bittersweet
Phrygian
• Dark, exotic, Spanish/flamenco, mysterious
• That flat 2nd gives it tension
• Use: Ominous, suspenseful, Middle Eastern flavors
Lydian
• Dreamy, ethereal, magical, floating
• That raised 4th creates an uplifting tension
• Use: Wonder, fantasy, cinematic beauty
Mixolydian
• Confident, bluesy, rock-oriented, optimistic
• Major with an edge (flat 7th)
• Use: Anthemic, classic rock, folk, Celtic
Aeolian (Natural Minor)
• Sad, serious, somber, emotional
• The standard minor scale sound
• Use: Melancholy, dramatic, introspective
Locrian
• Unstable, dissonant, unsettling, unresolved
• Rarely used for full compositions (diminished 5th makes it weird)
• Use: Tension, horror, avant-garde
For sync/production music specifically:
• Mixolydian = Sports, action, uplifting corporate
• Dorian = Modern drama, sophisticated
• Lydian = Emotional/inspirational, film trailers
• Phrygian = Thriller, tension, exotic
Putting It All Together
I created a “Modes Reference Pack” with everything you need to study the seven modes in depth: A complete intervals table, DAW screenshots for all seven modes in C Major, and companion audio files so you can hear each one. I use it myself for practice and love that I can access it from anywhere. Download it for free below and let me know what you think.