Introduction
In this blog, we look at the major scale modes used in jazz music songs, describing what they are and their origins.
To use this knowledge in our soloing and improvisation, we will go through each mode individually and discuss its unique character and sound. Let’s know the 7 modes of major scale used in Jazz.
1. Ionian
Ionian, certainly the most well-known of all the modes, is also known as the Major Scale. This one clearly works with most major chords, but you can also apply it to a segment of music that adheres to a certain major key centre in a larger sense.
You won’t go too wrong, for instance, if you employ B flat Ionian over the opening four bars of “Autumn Leaves,” the A portions of a rhythm change, or any II-V-I cadence into B flat major.
2. Dorian
The Dorian mode is made up of the notes D, E, F, G, A, B, C. It has a sad sound to it and is often used in minor keys.
One of the most famous songs in the Dorian mode is “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” by The Platters. If you listen to the song, you’ll hear that it doesn’t follow the typical major chord progression. Instead, it uses a lot of chords from the minor scale.
3. Phrygian
The Phrygian mode is one of the less popular modes in jazz for improvisation. It’s typically used to create a dark, mysterious sound. The key signature has one flat, which gives the music a Spanish feel.
4. Lydian
The Lydian mode is the fourth mode of the major scale, and it has a happy, upbeat sound that’s perfect for jazz. It’s often used in solos to add a bit of excitement, and it can really make a song stand out.
It has a dreamlike feel, and the major I chord’s resolve is gentle, almost as though it is less influenced by gravity.
5. Mixolydian
Mixolydian is derived from the major scale, and it’s used in jazz a lot. It has a laid-back feel to it and a bit of a bluesy sound.As stated in this article, you can browse your selection of available deals on smartphones and top brands and explore the cell phone service plans that best suit your needs.
Mixolydian is the fifth mode of the major scale, and it has a characteristic 7th chord that’s built on the V chord. So if you’re improvising over a chord progression in Mixolydian, you might want to try playing some bluesy licks over that V chord.
6. Aeolian
The sixth mode is Aeolian, which has a minor feel to it. You can think of it as the vi chord in a ii-V-I progression. It has a melancholy, gloomy, and occasionally angry character and is the typical minor key used in classical music.
It has the same notes as the Natural Minor Scale plus flats 3, 6, and 7.
7. Locrian
You might be wondering what the Locrian mode is. It’s the seventh and final mode of the major scale, and it’s often used in jazz and blues.
The Locrian mode has a unique sound that can be haunting or ethereal, depending on how you use it. It’s a great mode to use when you want to create a dark or mysterious feeling in your music. No song has ever been written with Locrian as its dominant mode, however it does have a distinctive dissonant tone that is suitable in solo passages.
It has the flat-2, flat-3, flat-5, flat-6, and flat-7 notes, and its tonic chord is a very unpleasant half-diminished chord.
Conclusion
You’re probably familiar with the major scale, but you may not know that there are seven different modes that can be derived from it. Each mode has a unique sound and can be used to create a new jazz album.
Jazz is a complex and ever-evolving genre of music, and there’s always something new to learn. Get to know the different modes of the major scale, and you’ll be able to create your own jazz songs in no time.
