Minor & Diminished Modes - Modal Music Part 4
Today we wrap up our 4-part series looking at the 7 modes of the diatonic scale. Today we are covering the two modes with a minor tonality: The Dorian and Phrygian modes, and the one diminished mode, the Locarian. We’ll then take a look at how you can use the 7 modes together in your writing, soloing, and improvising on the guitar.
Recommended Reading
Modal Music part 1 : The Major Scale / Ionian Mode
Modal Music part 2: The Minor Scale / Aeolian Mode
Modal Music part 3: The Lydian and Mixolydian Modes
The Dorian Mode : Scale Shape and Formula
The formula for the Dorian mode is 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7. We say that it has a minor tonality because it contains the minor triad ( 1 - b3 - 5), as does the Phrygian mode. The only difference between this and the minor scale is that it has a major 6th instead of a minor 6th. Therefore this scale has bit more mellow, jazzy sound, and it found a lot in jazz music.
Fun Fact: The Ocarina from The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time is always playing in the D Dorian mode!
The Phrygian Mode: Scale Shape and Formula
The scale formula for the Phrygian mode is 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7. The only difference between this and the minor scale is that it has a minor 2nd instead of a major 2nd. That one note adds a lot more tension to the scale. It sounds darker and meaner than the minor scale, and is popular in metal.
The Locrian Mode: Scale Shape and Formula
The scale formula for the Locrian mode is 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - b5 - b6 - b7. It is the only mode with a diminished property, because it contains a diminished triad(1 - b3 - b5 ). This scale is found sometimes in jazz, and sometimes in metal, but since diminished chords are used so rarely, this is probably the least applicable of the modes. You should still work to memorize the shape and the sound though, as you can still use the shape while playing in any mode, and sometimes you may want to use it for a more dissonant, ‘out there’ sound.
Using the 7 modes: Songwriting
Having a good understanding of modes can help you come up with some really unique riffs. If you are ever struggling for ideas, here is a fun exercise: take a simple riff that you know, or have written previously, and try transposing into all of the different modes. You can come up with some really unique stuff this way. You could also try this with chord progressions.
The important thing to realize is that once you understand modes, a whole new world of music and possibilities has opened up to you. Just play around with it, and find the best way to express yourself.
Using the 7 Modes: Soloing and Improvisation
Knowing all of these scale shapes and being able to switch between them fluidly is essential to being able to improvise well. Once you are familiar with the modes and shapes, you can play anywhere on the neck in any key! Try running through all the scales, until you can do it without thinking. This will take some time, don’t get frustrated. Once you know the shapes, start writing riffs and melodies, and you’ll be playing face melting solos in no time!
If you are playing of a somewhat harmonically ambiguous riff, understanding the modes can help you really play some crazy stuff. Let’s say for example that you need to improvise a solo over a riff of E5 and G5 power chords. look at this below:
notes in E5: E B
notes in G5: G D
notes in E minor: E - F# - G - A - B - C - D
notes in E Dorian: E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D
notes in E Phrygian: E - F - G - A - B - C - D
notice that the notes from two chords are in all three of the E minor modes. This means that you can use any 3 of the modes, or any combination of the three, while soloing over this! This can be a great way to add some more depth and uniqueness to your playing.
Any Questions?
We here at FretFeed hope that you found these articles enjoyable and educational. Did you find them helpful? Have they changed how you play guitar? Is there something that we left out, or that you need more clarification on? leave a question in the comments, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
