Mastery and Consolidation
65 Ear Training – Mastery of Major, Minor, and Modal Scales
Modal Scales
Modal scales can be constructed from the tones of the major (Ionian) scale. Starting a major scale on the second degree, for example, produces the Dorian scale. It is useful to learn all the modal scales using solfege that takes the lowest pitch as do. The Dorian scale, therefore, would be spelled do-re-me-fa-sol-la-te-do.
In recent chapters, we learned how to recognize and differentiate between the modes. For quick error detection, we can also categorize the scales and modes into three broad groups. These groups sort scales and modes by the ones resemble the major scale, those that resemble minor scales, and those that have the interval of a half-step between the two lowest pitches.
Categories of Scales and Modes
| “Major Sounding” Scales and Modes | “Minor Sounding” Scales and Modes | Modes With Half-Step Between Two Lowest Pitches |
| Ionian (Major)
Lydian Mixolydian |
Aeolian (Natural Minor)
Melodic Minor Harmonic Minor Dorian |
Phrygian
Lydian |
| Further Refinement:
Is the fourth degree raised? (Lydian) Is the seventh degree lowered? (Mixolydian) |
Further Refinement:
Relationship between sixth and seventh scale degrees? |
Further Refinement:
Position of the other half step within the mode? |
