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Diatonic modes

The specific pattern of whole and half steps of a diatonic scale is called a mode. There are seven different modes of the diatonic scale. The following gives you a summary of each mode as it relates to the white keys of the piano as well as where the half steps occur. Scales generally span an octave, beginning and ending on the same letter name.

seven modes of the diatonic scale

In this lesson, you will be required to recognize and write these modes only as they are found on the white keys of the keyboard.

A change of mode can dramatically alter the sound and character of a piece.  Listen to the following melodies, first in their original mode, and then in alternate modes.

			major:	minor:

			minor:	mixolydian:

Although this course will deal mostly with the major and minor modes, it is important that you are aware of the other diatonic modes as well. They were used extensively before 1600 and throughout the late nineteenth century and the entire twentieth century. The Dorian and Mixolydian modes are especially popular with jazz and commercial composers. Western folk music throughout the centuries has also been based on various diatonic modes.