Modes

Modes of C major

ModeRootNotesTonic chord
1IonianCC D E F G A BCmaj7Open page
2DorianDD E F G A B CDm7Open page
3PhrygianEE F G A B C DEm7Open page
4LydianFF G A B C D EFmaj7Open page
5MixolydianGG A B C D E FG7Open page
6AeolianAA B C D E F GAm7Open page
7LocrianBB C D E F G ABm7b5Open page

C Ionian

Fretboard

EFGABCDEABCDEFGADEFGABCDGABCDEFGBCDEFGABEFGABCDE

C D E F G A B

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Computed from music theorychordfolk.com

Method

How this is computed

How notes are spelled

Every scale and chord is stored as a degree formula, such as 1 b3 4 5 b7, and not as a list of steps. Steps cannot spell notes correctly: F# major has to contain E#, not F.

To spell a note, Chordfolk takes the letter that is the right number of steps above the root's letter, then adds the sharp or flat that makes the pitch come out right. The notes inside a scale are always spelled this way, so D major has F# and F major has Bb.

If a note would need more than a double sharp or double flat, Chordfolk does not respell it quietly. It tells you, and suggests an enharmonic root to try instead.

How modes are found

A mode is a parent scale started from a different degree. D dorian uses the same notes as C major, but D is home.

Chordfolk derives every mode by rotation. It starts the parent's pattern at the mode's degree, measures each note from the new root, writes the result as a degree formula, and spells it with the normal rules. No mode formula is typed by hand.

A parent is named by a standard key, so Db locrian is mode 7 of D major, and C# lydian is mode 4 of Ab major.