Modes, Syncopations
54 Ear Training – Modal Scales
Modal Scales: Two Ways
When we begin the diatonic major scale on a solfege syllable other than do, we create a modal scale. Many folk song traditions use modal scales as the basis of melody and harmony. For example, many folk songs of the Iberian Peninsula are in Phrygian mode, whereas many folk songs of Scotland and Ireland are in Dorian mode (often as a variant of minor) and Mixolydian mode (often as a variant of major). Additionally, many popular and classical music genres base their melodies and harmonies on modal scales. As you increase your musicianship, it is a good idea to learn to spot modes in context.
There are two ways of spelling the modal scales using solfege.
- Keep to the solfege syllables of the major scale (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do) and begin each scale on a different degree, e.g. the Lydian scale would be spelled fa, sol, la, ti, do, re, mi, fa. Some learners find it easier to master the intervallic relationships in the modal scales this way.
- Alternatively, you can take the lowest note of any modal scale as your do and adjust the other degrees of the scale chromatically, e.g. the Lydian scale would be spelled do, re, mi, fi, sol, la, ti, do. This method is the most common way of labeling modal scales.
What Modes Look Like
Here is what the modal scales look like when spelled the first way, i.e. relating everything back to the Ionian (i.e. major) scale. Sing through the modes this way and notice the intervallic relations. Where are the whole and half steps located?
Here is what the modal scales look like when spelled the second way, i.e. labeling the lowest pitch of every modal scale as do. Sing through the modes this way, and commit the solfege of each to memory.
How Modal Scales Look (and Sound)
As always, it is best to learn ear training concepts both by listening/writing and by singing. Sing this modal scales warm-up every day, transposing it into any key and register that suits your vocal range, until you can fluently sing through it without having to refer to the piano. Notice the patterns of whole and half steps. (For example, notice that only the Phrygian and Locrian scales begin with a half step.) Commit the following table to memory.
| Mode | Solfege | Tips for Easy Recall |
| Ionian | do re mi fa sol la ti do | Same as the major scale |
| Dorian | do re me fa sol la te do | Like a natural minor scale but with a raised sixth degree |
| Phrygian | do ra me fa sol le te do | One of only two modal scales to have a half step between the two lowest pitches (other one is Locrian) |
| Lydian | do re me fi sol la ti do | Like a major scale but with a raised fourth degree |
| Mixolydian | do re mi fa sol la te do | Like a major scale but with a lowered seventh degree |
| Aeolian | do re me fa sol le te do | Same as the natural minor scale |
| Locrian | do ra me fa se le te do | One of only two modal scales to have a half step between the two lowest pitches (other one is Phrygian). |
This playlist curates a number of well-known songs with melodies and harmonies built on modes. Listen to the playlist and try to identify which song is in which mode!
