Scale Modes and Modal Scales
They mean different things. One deals on modes relative to a particular scale, while the other deals on scales relative to a particular mode. It gets confusing at times, but the names help to differentiate them. Take for example, on a particular scale, every key/note/degree is a mode:
1 – Ionian
2 - Dorian
3 - Phrygian
4 – Lydian
5 – Mixolydian
6 – Aeolian
7 – Locrian
So when you are trying to play a mode based on a scale, you just pick it out and run the seven degrees beginning from there.
So if you are told to play a C Phrygian scale, what will it be?
And what if you were asked to play a C Phrygian mode, what will it be?
1 – Ionian
2 - Dorian
3 - Phrygian
4 – Lydian
5 – Mixolydian
6 – Aeolian
7 – Locrian
So when you are trying to play a mode based on a scale, you just pick it out and run the seven degrees beginning from there.
So if you are told to play a C Phrygian scale, what will it be?
And what if you were asked to play a C Phrygian mode, what will it be?
The C Phrygian scale identifies the C as the mode of any scale that has C as the Phrygian [3rd] of that particular scale. That will be the diatonic scale of Ab.
On the other hand, if you have to play a C Phrygian mode, you would play the 3rd note of the scale [E] starting from E and ending on E. the same notes on the C diatonic scale.
So how do we harness it? You can hold down a chord of a tone, and here’s the best part, you run the Phrygian mode/scale of that tone over it.
Jazzy!
Modal playing is very exotic in music. If you master these modal scale manipulation, it’s enough to place at the top of your game.
If you are playing with a guitarist and a saxophonist, you could be on C, the guitarist playing around with the Ab Phrygian mode, the saxophonist playing C Aeolian scale, then you the pianist combining both modes, and even occasionally adding a C Lydian mode. You see, C is the 3rd on Ab, the 6th on Eb, and the 5th on F. F is related to all the keys here as the 4th of C, 6th of Ab, and 2nd of Eb.
More on this later…
On the other hand, if you have to play a C Phrygian mode, you would play the 3rd note of the scale [E] starting from E and ending on E. the same notes on the C diatonic scale.
So how do we harness it? You can hold down a chord of a tone, and here’s the best part, you run the Phrygian mode/scale of that tone over it.
Jazzy!
Modal playing is very exotic in music. If you master these modal scale manipulation, it’s enough to place at the top of your game.
If you are playing with a guitarist and a saxophonist, you could be on C, the guitarist playing around with the Ab Phrygian mode, the saxophonist playing C Aeolian scale, then you the pianist combining both modes, and even occasionally adding a C Lydian mode. You see, C is the 3rd on Ab, the 6th on Eb, and the 5th on F. F is related to all the keys here as the 4th of C, 6th of Ab, and 2nd of Eb.