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Mode explorer
The seven modes on any tonic, each shown next to the scale it is closest to — major for the bright modes, natural minor for the dark ones — with the note that makes the difference marked.
Mode explorer
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Explore the modes
Pick a tonic and a mode. The marked keys are the notes that make it that mode — flip to the familiar scale to hear them move.
- 1C
- 2D
- ♭3E♭
- 4F
- 5G
- 6A (characteristic degree)
- ♭7B♭
What makes it Dorian: the 6th degree — A where C natural minor has A♭. The characteristic degree is outlined above and marked in mid-violet on the keyboard.
How to hear a mode
A mode is the same seven notes as a major scale, treated as if a different one of them were home. Played over its own tonic, each has a colour — and that colour comes from one or two notes that differ from the familiar scale on the same tonic. Keep the tonic fixed, choose a mode, then flip Compare with to the major or natural minor scale and play both. The note that moves is the one to listen for.
| Mode | Sounds | Compared with | Listen for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ionian | Major | Major | Nothing — it is that scale |
| Dorian | Minor | Natural minor | the natural sixth |
| Phrygian | Minor | Natural minor | the flattened second |
| Lydian | Major | Major | the raised fourth |
| Mixolydian | Major | Major | the flattened seventh |
| Aeolian | Minor | Natural minor | Nothing — it is that scale |
| Locrian | Minor | Natural minor | the flattened second and fifth |
Why the tonic changes the spelling
The tonic buttons use whichever spelling that mode needs fewer accidentals for. C♯ Locrian is C♯ D E F♯ G A B; D♭ Locrian is the same keys written with four double flats, which nobody reads. The key under your finger does not change when you switch mode — only its name does, where the mode calls for it.
For the idea from the beginning, read modes explained. For one mode written out on all twelve roots, each has a page in the mode reference.