Introduction to Aural Skills IV
68 Reviewing Modal Scales
Modal Scales
In previous chapters, we began our study of modal scales.
There are two ways of spelling modal scales using solfege. This is because modal scales are used in more than one way in musical contexts. One way is to treat them as major scales starting on different scale degrees. The most common way, however, is to treat them all as if they begin on the solfege syllable do.
The “Start on Do” Method
Many types of folk music from across the world are composed in modal idioms. For example, many Spanish folk songs are in Phrygian mode, while many traditional English songs are in Mixolydian mode.
Using this method, we can take the lowest pitch of the scale as do, and adjust the other degrees of the scale as necessary. For example, using this method, the Mixolydian scale would be spelled “do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, te, do.”
How It Looks, How It Sounds
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.)
