The 7 Modes on Piano
The 7 modes of the major scale are basically the fundamental language of almost all music ever written.
Let’s explore these 7 modes, both with names and pictures with the notes (intervals) per mode…but also with their respective diatonic 7th chords. Also, I will show each mode not in the usual (all white keys) alternatives. But rather with all modes starting on the note C, so you can see how the intervals of each mode changes, based on the same root key. However, I will include the standard “white note” root note for each mode just for reference.
Ionian (C)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Dorian (D)
1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Phrygian (E)
1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Lydian (F)
1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7
Mixolydian (G)
1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Aeolian (A)
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Locrian (B)
1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Diatonic Chords in all 7 Modes
Note: Modes in order from “brightest” to “darkest”
