Piano Lab: Tonal Centers and Modes in Music

Most classical and pop music is based on the familiar major or minor scale patterns also known as Ionian and Aeolian  modes. Less often used modes create a variety of moods.  

Listen to examples in this video of how  switching the tonal center of a piece to a different starting note of the C scale creates a different feeling.

Tonal Centers and Modes Video

Mode Improvisation Samples

Choose a mood below, watch the sample improvisation video and create melodies matching the mood of your choice.

Imagine you are making a mini movie soundtrack and create melodies using the modes that match the mood of the storyline.

1-Ionian- Major, Happy

Create First Scales Dream of Melodies

2-Dorian Hopeful, Sad

Create First Traveling

3-Phrygian Exotic, Creepy, Dark, Tense

Create First Kyoto

4-Lydian, Hopeful Dreamy

Create First Sky

5-Mixolydian, Jazzy

Create First Scotland

or In the Mix

6-Aeolian, Sad

Create First Glimmer of Hope

Music of the Moment

or Endless Road

7-Locrian, Unsettling, Creepy

Modes and Movies

Challenge: Imagine you are making a mini-movie soundtrack. Think of the events in your favorite movie or write a simple plot of your own and create melodies using the modes that match the mood of the storyline.