Scale Tone Chords
As well as modes being created from the seven notes of the major scale, it is also possible to create a chord from each note of the scale. By taking the first, third and fifth notes of each mode, there are triads (3 note chords) which can be derived from the major scale. The following list shows the seven modes and the triad created from each mode.
Because each mode contains three notes from its corresponding triad, the modes work particularly well when played against these chords. Using modes to play over chords means it is possible to create melodies which are very specific to certain chords.
It is possible to use the C major scale freely over any chord in the key of C major, but the C Ionian mode is very specific to the C major triad. If you had a chord progression containing the chords C, F and G you could simply play the C major scale (C Ionian) or you could use the F Lydian mode over the F chord and the G Mixolydian mode over the G chord. To hear this, play the following scales and have someone accompany you with the chords that are indicated above the music.
Here is a melody using the C Ionian mode over the chords C, F and G in the key of C.
The melody used in the previous example sounds reasonably good but it doesn’t fit the chord progression perfectly. Here is the same progression with the Ionian, Lydian and Mixolydian modes played over it. Listen to how well each mode fits its particular chord.
Now try this melody created from the modes in the previous example. Listen to how much better this melody fits the chords than the one in example 9.
Even though all of the modes in this section are derived from the C major scale, it is possible to create sound from some of the modes which are very different to the major scale. Listen to the Spanish type of sound produced by the E Phrygian mode in the following example.
This next example demonstrates the type of sound produced by the Aeolian mode. This mode is also known as the Natural Minor scale and can be used over chord progressions in minor keys.
All of these modes can be used as a tonality in themselves rather than always being played against chords in a related major key. This subject will be dealt with in more detail in Section 2.
