Modes: Taking a closer look.
(23 Dec 03)
The Dorian Mode
Next to the Ionian, we have the Dorian mode. This particular scale is one of the 4 minor modes, and its formula is 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7. This time, we find the minor 2nds between the 2nd and 3rd degree of the scale and between the 6th and 7th degree, respectively.
The Dorian scale tends to sound really "sexy" and "attractive" thanks to the combination of its minor third and its major sixth, and it's the main choice of many jazz and blues players along with rock and fusion players like Brett Garsed or Steve Vai. As mentioned previously, the intervals that define the Dorian mode are its minor third, major sixth and minor seventh.
In this riff, similar to a figure that Nuno Bettencourt plays in the intro of Lil' Jack Horny, the Dorian scale and a swing feel are used to give the song a somewhat naughty and seductive feel.
In this blues rock lick, the half step bends put emphasis on the mayor sixth, making it stand out in the whole context and catching the listener's attention. Note that the Dorian mode is used mostly against minor type chords, mainly m, m7 and min9.
The Phrygian Mode
Another minor mode, the Phrygian scale is often viewed as the exotic, eerie mode due to its particular and unique way of sounding. When used properly, the Phrygian mode can take the listener to a mental oasis in the middle of a desert.
This mode is often used in Middle-Eastern music, along with the Phrygian Dominant scale. Also, due to its "heavy" harmonic features, it's the scale choice for many metal riffs like the ones used by Metallica, just to name one example.
The formula for this particular mode is 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7, and here we can see that that this scale has a minor third, minor second, a minor sixth and a minor seventh; think of the Phrygian scale as a regular minor scale with a flat 2nd to make things easier to memorize. This time, the minor 2nds we've been tracking down in the first two modes are located between the root of the scale and it's second degree, and between it's fifth degree and it's sixth degree.
Because of it's minor 2nd and minor 3rd, this scale tends to sound heavy and dark.
The Lydian Mode
Along with the Ionian and Mixolydian, the Lydian scale is a major type scale. The Lydian mode is often used by soundtrack composers to depict and describe the feelings of a child who discovers the world with wide-open eyes, mixing playfulness and excitement along with cheerfulness and awe. Also seen as the "dreamy" mode, the Lydian scale takes the listener to a trip to a land that may exist above the clouds.
The formula for this mode is 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 8. This time, our ol' minor 2nds are between the augmented 4th degree and the 5th degree and between the seventh degree and the octave. The notes that stand out in this mode are its major third, augmented fourth and major seventh.
The last example is a transcription of a solo that shows a flashy way of using the Lydian mode in a metal, prog rock context. Here, Adagio's Stefan Fortè uses the Lydian scale to follow the chord progression in his solo part in "The Inner Road" (Sanctus Ignis). Check the E and F# arpeggio/tapping licks at the end of the example.
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