Scales & Modes

The musical scale consists of a series of notes arranged in pitch order and forming the basis for a musical part. Usually, a scale is a series of 8 consecutive notes that uses a pattern of half and whole steps.

This is the Major scale (begins on C and therefore called C Major):

The basic scales
There are different kinds of scales and modes:

Major (Ionian mode) - played on the white keys from c' to c''

The pattern of half and whole steps: W W H W W W H

Aeolian mode (Natural minor) - played from c' to c'' with Eb Ab and Bb

Harmonic minor - like Natural minor but with a leading tone (only Eb and Ab)

Melodic minor - like Natural minor but with 6th and 7th degrees raised (only Eb).

On descending played Natural minor

The Modes

Modes are ancient scales that were common in Western music till the end of the Middle Agesþ and in many musical cultures all over the world, until today. Jazz musicians also use them extensively.

The most used modes are:

Dorian mode - like Natural minor with the 6th degree raised.

Phrygian mode - like Natural minor with the 2th degree lowered.

Lydian mode - like Major with the 4th degree raised.

Mixo-Lydian mode - like Major with the 7th degree lowered.

Locrian mode - like Natural minor with the 2 and 5th degrees lowered.

You may use the online Virtual Piano to study the scales and modes from any key