Post-Tonality

Music Theory IV: Modes and Stuff

ionian mode

modal name of major scale

dorian mode

minor scale with raised 6th: la

phrygian mode

minor scale with lowered 2nd: rah

lydian mode

major scale with raised 4: fi

mixolydian mode

major scale with lowered 7: te

aeolian mode

same as minor scale

locrian mode

minor scale with lowered 2 (rah) and lowered 5 (se)

pentatonic scale

like a major scale but missing 4 and 7

whole tone scale

* only whole steps when notes are placed in order


* one letter skipped

octatonic scale

whole step-half step-whole step-half step

hexatonic scale

* one half step-three half steps-one half step-three half steps
* letter doubling is fine if wanting to avoid odd accidental markings
* 6 notes

lydian-mixolydian mode

like a major scale with raised 4 (fi) and lowered 7 (te)

dorian-phrygian mode

like a minor scale with raised 6 (la) and lowered 2 (rah)