# Modes — same frets, new home

> Interactive page: [`modes.html`](modes.html)

A **mode** is the same seven notes of a major scale with a **different home**. Same frets, new centre of gravity — and a different mood. Ukulele practice on the HTML page is parallel (same root, changed notes) so you can hear the colour against one tonic. Full theory twin: [Piano · modes](/piano/modes.html). Parent scale maps: [Scales](scales.md).

**v2 deepen:** [Scales](scales.md) · Modes · [Movable shapes](movable.md) · [Jazz](jazz.html) · technique gym on [Exercises](exercises.md)

**Sources (two-check):** Berklee harmony / ukulele-lab mode practice · Hal Leonard / method-book diatonic reading · classical modal colour as relative degrees of major. No copyrighted riffs — formulas and signature leans only.

## Relative vs parallel

**Relative** = one parent major, start on each degree (C major → D Dorian, E Phrygian, F Lydian…). Same seven notes; the home note moves.

**Parallel** = keep the root fixed and alter the major scale (C Ionian vs C Dorian vs C Phrygian). Parallel is how modes *feel* different under one tonic.

Use the relative tour on the HTML page for the shared-note view; use each card’s Play buttons for parallel colour. Then map modes onto boxes in [Mode shapes](#mode-shapes).

## Brightest → darkest

| Mode | vs major | Signature lean | Mood sketch |
|------|----------|----------------|-------------|
| Lydian | ♯4 | raised 4 | dreamy / floating |
| Ionian | — | (home) | major / settled |
| Mixolydian | ♭7 | flat 7 | dominant / folk colour |
| Dorian | ♭3, ♭7 (nat. 6) | natural 6 | minor but hopeful |
| Aeolian | ♭3, ♭6, ♭7 | flat 6 | natural minor |
| Phrygian | ♭2, ♭3, ♭6, ♭7 | flat 2 | dark / Spanish |
| Locrian | ♭2, ♭3, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7 | flat 5 | unstable |

## Suggested order

1. Hear [Ionian](#ionian--major--settled) as home, then [Aeolian](#aeolian--natural-minor).
2. Add [Mixolydian](#mixolydian--dominant--folk-colour) and [Dorian](#dorian--minor-but-hopeful) — the everyday folk / island / dominant colours.
3. [Lydian](#lydian--dreamy--floating) and [Phrygian](#phrygian--dark--spanish) for brighter / darker edges.
4. Visit [Locrian](#locrian--unstable) briefly, then return to Ionian.
5. Map one mode into a box via [Mode shapes](#mode-shapes).

### Three tracks

- **Beginner** — Ionian · Aeolian · relative tour from C. Near 60.
- **Intermediate** — Mixolydian · Dorian signature leans · parallel tour.
- **Advanced** — all seven parallel · mode-shape filter · link to [scales](scales.md) / [Movable shapes](movable.md).

## Lydian — dreamy / floating

**Formula vs major:** 1 2 3 **♯4** 5 6 7. Signature: the raised 4th. Parent degree: 4th of a major scale (F Lydian from C major).

```
From C: C D E F# G A B C
```

## Ionian — major / settled

**Formula:** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (the major scale). No alterations. Parent degree: 1st.

```
From C: C D E F G A B C
```

## Mixolydian — dominant / folk colour

**Formula vs major:** 1 2 3 4 5 6 **♭7**. Signature: flat 7. Parent degree: 5th (G Mixolydian from C major).

```
From C: C D E F G A Bb C
```

## Dorian — minor but hopeful

**Formula vs major:** 1 2 **♭3** 4 5 **6** **♭7**. Signature: natural 6 against a minor tonic. Parent degree: 2nd (D Dorian from C major).

```
From C: C D Eb F G A Bb C
```

## Aeolian — natural minor

**Formula vs major:** 1 2 **♭3** 4 5 **♭6** **♭7**. Signature: flat 6. Parent degree: 6th (A Aeolian from C major).

```
From C: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C
```

## Phrygian — dark / Spanish

**Formula vs major:** 1 **♭2** **♭3** 4 5 **♭6** **♭7**. Signature: flat 2. Parent degree: 3rd (E Phrygian from C major).

```
From C: C Db Eb F G Ab Bb C
```

## Locrian — unstable

**Formula vs major:** 1 **♭2** **♭3** 4 **♭5** **♭6** **♭7**. Signature: flat 2 and flat 5. Parent degree: 7th (B Locrian from C major). Rare as a home scale.

```
From C: C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C
```

### Relative view (from C major)

Same seven notes, new home:

- C Ionian · D Dorian · E Phrygian · F Lydian
- G Mixolydian · A Aeolian · B Locrian

Then switch the parallel root and compare *C Dorian* to *C Aeolian* — that is how mode colour becomes obvious under the fingers.

## Mode shapes

Modes do not need a new neck — they need a new **home note** inside a shape you already know. The lab on the HTML page is the gym; parent maps live on [Scales](scales.md).

1. Play the shape ascending, but **start and end on the mode root**.
2. Lean on the signature note against that root.
3. Switch mode (Dorian ↔ Aeolian) without moving the hand — only the home note changes.
4. On 3NPS, walk parent shapes with one mode root for an even picking workout.

Piano theory twin: [Learn Piano · modes](/piano/modes.html).

## A 10-minute mode routine

1. **2 min** — Ionian then Aeolian on the same parallel root.
2. **3 min** — Mixolydian or Dorian with signature lean.
3. **3 min** — one door in the mode-shape lab.
4. **2 min** — relative tour, or link back to [Scales](scales.md) / [Movable shapes](movable.md).

---

Interactive: [`modes.html`](modes.html) · Technique: [Exercises](exercises.md) · Piano: [Learn Piano · modes](/piano/modes.html)