Exploring the Modes: A Guide for Mandolin Players

What are modes for mandolin?

Imagine you are standing on a mountain overlooking a vast landscape. The landscape represents the different notes that make up a piece of music. Each note is like a different peak in the landscape, each with its own unique character and shape.

Now imagine that the landscape is divided into different regions, each with its own unique character and atmosphere. These regions are called modes.

There are seven different modes in Western music: the Ionian mode, the Dorian mode, the Phrygian mode, the Lydian mode, the Mixolydian mode, the Aeolian mode, and the Locrian mode. Each of these modes has its own distinct sound and feel, determined by the sequence of whole and half steps between the notes in the mode.

How can you use modes with mandolin?

To use modes with your mandolin, you’ll first need to understand the basic structure and characteristics of each mode. As I mentioned earlier, each mode is defined by a specific sequence of whole and half steps between the notes in the mode.

Here are the seven modes and their corresponding scale patterns:

Ionian mode: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
Dorian mode: 1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7
Phrygian mode: 1-b2-b3-4-5-b6-b7
Lydian mode: 1-2-3-#4-5-6-7
Mixolydian mode: 1-2-3-4-5-6-b7
Aeolian mode: 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7
Locrian mode: 1-b2-b3-4-b5-b6-b7

Once you are familiar with the scale patterns for each mode, you can practice playing the modes on your mandolin by starting on different notes of the scale and playing the corresponding scale pattern. For example, if you want to play the Dorian mode starting on the note D, you would play the D Dorian scale, which consists of the notes D, E, F, G, A, B, and C.

You can also use modes to improvise solos or write original compositions by using the characteristic intervals and chord progressions of each mode. For example, the Mixolydian mode is often used in blues and rock music, and features a dominant seventh chord on the fifth scale degree.

It may take some practice and experimentation to get comfortable using modes on your mandolin, but with time and dedication, you’ll be able to incorporate them into your playing and add another layer of expression to your music.

What are the modes?

Ionian

To use the Ionian scale (also known as the major scale) with your mandolin, you can practice playing the scale pattern in different keys.

For example, if you want to play the Ionian scale starting on the note G, you would play the G Ionian scale, which consists of the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#. Once you are comfortable with the scale patterns, you can try improvising solos or composing original pieces using the Ionian scale.

You can also try incorporating the Ionian scale into your playing by using it to play melodies over chord progressions that use major chords.

Additionally, you can explore different tonalities and modes derived from the Dorian mode, such as the Phrygian or Aeolian mode, to add variety and interest to your playing. Experimenting with different tonalities and modes can help you develop a more diverse musical vocabulary and add depth and expression to your playing.

Dorian

The Dorian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a minor third and a perfect fifth. It is often used in a variety of musical styles, including jazz, blues, and folk music.

On the mandolin, you can use the Dorian mode to improvise solos or compose original pieces. You can also use the Dorian mode to play melodies over chord progressions that use minor chords.

In addition to its use in soloing and composition, the Dorian mode can also be used to add variety and interest to your playing by exploring different tonalities and modes derived from the Dorian mode, such as the Phrygian or Aeolian mode. Experimenting with different tonalities and modes can help you develop a more diverse musical vocabulary and add depth and expression to your playing.

Phrygian

To use the Phrygian mode with your mandolin, you can start by practicing the scale pattern in different keys. The Phrygian mode is characterized by a minor third and a minor sixth, and has a distinctive Spanish or Middle Eastern sound.

For example, if you want to play the Phrygian mode starting on the note E, you would play the E Phrygian scale, which consists of the notes E, F, G, A, B, C, and D.

Once you are comfortable with the scale pattern, you can try improvising solos or composing original pieces using the Phrygian mode. You can also try incorporating the Phrygian mode into your playing by using it to play melodies over chord progressions that use minor chords.

By exploring different tonalities and modes, such as the Dorian or Aeolian mode, derived from the Phrygian mode, you can add variety and interest to your playing. Experimenting with these different tonalities and modes can help you expand your musical vocabulary and add depth and expression to your playing.

Lydian

To use the Lydian mode with your mandolin, you can start by practicing the scale pattern in different keys. The Lydian mode is characterized by a major third and a raised fourth scale degree, and has a bright and otherworldly sound.

For example, if you want to play the Lydian mode starting on the note F, you would play the F Lydian scale, which consists of the notes F, G, A, B, C, D, and E.

Once you are comfortable with the scale pattern, you can try improvising solos or composing original pieces using the Lydian mode. You can also try incorporating the Lydian mode into your playing by using it to play melodies over chord progressions that use major chords.

You can add some flavor to your playing by exploring different tonalities and modes derived from the Lydian mode, like the Ionian or Mixolydian mode. Experimenting with these different tonalities and modes will help you expand your musical vocabulary and bring some extra depth and expression to your playing.

Mixolydian

To use the Mixolydian mode with your mandolin, you can start by practicing the scale pattern in different keys. The Mixolydian mode is characterized by a major third and a lowered seventh scale degree, and has a bluesy sound that is often used in blues and rock music.

For example, if you want to play the Mixolydian mode starting on the note G, you would play the G Mixolydian scale, which consists of the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

Once you are comfortable with the scale pattern, you can try improvising solos or composing original pieces using the Mixolydian mode. You can also try incorporating the Mixolydian mode into your playing by using it to play melodies over chord progressions that use dominant seventh chords.

By experimenting with different tonalities and modes, such as the Ionian or Lydian mode, derived from the Mixolydian mode, you can add variety and interest to your playing. This experimentation can help you expand your musical vocabulary and add depth and expression to your playing.

Aeolian

To use the Aeolian mode (also known as the natural minor scale) with your mandolin, you can start by practicing the scale pattern in different keys. The Aeolian mode is characterized by a minor third and a perfect fifth, and has a slightly more subdued and melancholic sound compared to the major scale.

For example, if you want to play the Aeolian mode starting on the note A, you would play the A Aeolian scale, which consists of the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

Once you are comfortable with the scale pattern, you can try improvising solos or composing original pieces using the Aeolian mode. You can also try incorporating the Aeolian mode into your playing by using it to play melodies over chord progressions that use minor chords.

Additionally, you can explore different tonalities and modes derived from the Aeolian mode, such as the Dorian or Phrygian mode, to add variety and interest to your playing. Experimenting with different tonalities and modes can help you develop a more diverse musical vocabulary and add depth and expression to your playing.

Locrian

To use the Locrian mode with your mandolin, you can start by practicing the scale pattern in different keys. The Locrian mode is characterized by a minor third, a diminished fifth, and a diminished seventh scale degree, and has a dissonant and unstable sound.

For example, if you want to play the Locrian mode starting on the note B, you would play the B Locrian scale, which consists of the notes B, C, D, E, F, G, and A.

Once you are comfortable with the scale pattern, you can try improvising solos or composing original pieces using the Locrian mode. You can also try incorporating the Locrian mode into your playing by using it to create dissonance and tension in your melodies.

It’s important to note that the Locrian mode is not used as frequently as the other modes, and may be more challenging to use in a musical context. However, exploring and experimenting with the Locrian mode can help you develop a deeper understanding of music theory and expand your musical vocabulary.

In conclusion modes are different scales that can be used in music to create different atmospheres and emotions. By practicing the scale patterns and using them to improvise solos or compose original pieces, you can use the modes to add depth and expression to your mandolin playing. Experimenting with different tonalities and modes can also help you develop a more diverse musical vocabulary.