Minor Keys and Modes

"I Don't Particularly Like Modes A Lot" is a good acronoym to remember order of modes

Natural Minor (aka Aeolian Mode)

This is the basic form of the minor scale. It’s derived from the 6th degree of the major scale.

Harmonic Minor

This scale raises the 7th degree of the natural minor by a half step, creating a leading tone that wants to resolve up to the tonic.

Melodic Minor

Raising both the 6th and 7th degrees on the way up, but returns to natural minor on the way down.

Ionian

Starts on first scale degree

Dorian

Starts on second scale degree

Phrygian

Starts on third scale degree

Lydian

Starts on 4th scale degree

Mixolydian

Starts on 5th scale degree

Aeolian

Starts on 6th scale degree

Locrian

Starts on 7th scale degree

How to find parent scale of a mode?

Count backwards in WHOLE STEPS to the first mode (Ionian).

EX: Mixolydian, count back four notes.

Pattern for Major Scales

W–W–H–W–W–W–H