Modal Chord Progressions : The Ultimate Guide

FREE Major Key Chord Guide : majorkeychords.com
This video is the ultimate guide to modal chord progressions.
Using the modes to create chords is a great way to produce interesting and unique chord progressions.
Modal chord progressions are the key to writing great songs and this ultimate guide will get you there.
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Videos To Help:
Intervals : • What are intervals in ...
Major Key Progressions : • How To Write Major Key...
Minor Key Progressions : • Minor Keys Explained -...
Timestamps:
0:00 - Modal Chord Progressions : The Ultimate Guide
0:10 - What are scales?
2:23 - What is the major scale?
3:45 - What are modes in music?
4:57 - The Ionian Mode
5:40 - The Dorian Mode
6:58 - The Phrygian Mode
7:43 - The Lydian Mode
8:24 - The Mixolydian Mode
9:01 - The Aeolian Mode
9:45 - The Locrian Mode
11:02 - How Does The Dorian Mode Sound & What Genres Of Music Is It Used In?
11:24 - How To Construct Dorian Mode Chords
12:57 - The i - IV Dorian Mode Chord Progression
14:06 - Comparing The iv / IV Chord In Aeolian Mode & Dorian Mode Chord Progressions
15:57 - How To Use The Minor ii & v Chords In Dorian Mode Progressions
17:04 - How To Blur The Line Between Aeolian & Dorian Mode Chord Progressions
18:00 - How To Use The Diminished vi Chord In Dorian Mode Chord Progressions
19:30 - Jazz Influenced Dorian Mode Chord Progressions Using Minor 7th & Dominant 9th Chords
20:23 - How To Use Major 7th & Minor 9th Chords To Highlight Dorian Mode Notes
21:40 - How Does The Phrygian Mode Sound & What Genres Of Music Is It Used In?
22:45 - How To Construct Phrygian Mode Chords / What Chords Are In The Phrygian Key?
24:57 - Common Phrygian Mode Chord Progressions & Why They Work
26:42 - How To Use Different Chord Types In Phrygian Mode Chord Progressions
29:00 - What Are The Scale Degrees Of The Major Scale / Lydian Mode?
29:40 - How Does The Lydian Mode Sound & What Genres Of Music Is It Used In?
30:00 - How To Construct Lydian Mode Chords / What Chords Are In The Lydian Key?
31:04 - Common Lydian Mode Chord Progressions & Why They Work
34:07 - Why The V (5) Chord Causes Problems In The Lydian Key (Modal Instability)
37:00 - How To Use Different Chord Types In Lydian Mode Chord Progressions
38:29 - What Are The Scale Degrees Of The Major Scale / Mixolydian Mode / Dorian Mode? (+ Sound Examples)
39:29 - What Genres Of Music Is the Mixolydian Mode Used In?
39:45 - How To Construct Mixolydian Mode Chords / What Chords Are In The C Mixolydian Key?
40:40 - Common Mixolydian Mode Chord Progressions & Why They Work
44:24 - How To Use Different Chord Types In Mixolydian Mode Chord Progressions (Including sus Chords!)
47:10 - What Are The Scale Degrees Of The Major Scale / Locrian Mode / Phrygian Mode? (+ Sound Examples)
47:58 - The Perfect 5th Interval & Diminished 5th Interval (Importance In Locrian)
48:30 - How To Construct Locrian Mode Chords / What Chords Are In The C Locrian Key?
49:48 - The Difficulties Of The Locrian Mode + Common Locrian Mode Chord Progressions
52:46 - How To Use Different Chord Types In Locrian Mode Chord Progressions (Including 7th Chords!)
#chords #modes #writeasong

[@WriteASong]

Add something different to your chord progressions kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGjaqZmjgs95o7c

[@chasjazzz]

This is music class. Mandatory studying. Do not past Go until you watch and understand this video, it will help your playing and writing Guaranteed. Thank you so much!

[@WriteASong]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@Mr.Batsu12]

For those who are new to modes there are multiple ways to describe them but I find the easiest way to understand the modes is that they are all the Major scale. You just change which note in the Major scale is the root note to change the scale. Let's start with a C Major scale (no sharps or flats). These same notes are the same for the following modes: 1) C Ionian (Major scale) 2) D Dorian 3) E Phrygian 4) F Lydian 5) G Mixolydian 6) A Aeolian (minor scale) 7) B Locrian NOTE: Ionian is the mode name for a major scale. Aeolian is the mode name for a minor scale. So if you want to play in G Mixolydian you can simply plat the C Major scale notes but focus on making the note G your tonic (root) note. What if you want to play A Dorian? Since Dorian is the 2nd mode find the scale where A is the 2nd note in the Major scale. That's the G Major scale, so play the G Major scale pattern while concentrating on making the note A the tonic (home) and you have the A Dorian node. What if you want to play F# Locrian? Well, first off - don't. :D Locrian is a very difficult mode to use and still sound pleasing but figuring out how to play Locrian it is no different. What Major scale has F# as the 7th note? That's the G Major scale. A great way to practice these modes are to look up backing tracks on youtube. These are simply songs in specific keys/modes that have no melody line so you can easily solo over them. Just search for something like "Mixolydian Backing Track" or more specifically "D Dorian Backing Track". There are thousands of these to pick from and are a fun way to get used to quickly getting familiar with playing in each of these modes. After becoming more familiar with them it pays to remember what the different modes sound like and even what notes in each mode have a strong impact or make those modes more unique. Like the Phrygian mode having a b2 note or the 4th note in Lydian being very important as it's the one note that's different from the Major scale it's based on.

[@WriteASong]

This is great information for an alternative approach to modes, thanks for sharing!

[@seanmullen6688]

@@WriteASong I like your explanation better … as it focuses on the intervalic uniqueness of each mode … yes for guitar the fingering patterns for c Ionian and d Dorian might be the piano equivalent of all white keys but so what ?? it doesn’t tell you what are the unique notes of Dorian the 6th as cite or for that matter the chromatic colouring notes for each mode … what I mean by that is c# is an approach note widely used in jazz for D Dorian but less so in C Ionian … Even a guy like Joe Pass who is not a modalist plays off the unique shape and sound of the chord shape under his hands in say a II - V unless if it’s really fast rhythm changes … Mike Stern was of the same view … see the common patterns but don’t convert say Ab Dorian from Gb major … no time if your playing real time …. IMO

[@PavanKumar-ek1ky]

Bro 👏, Thank you so much for sharing knowledge … I was confused on modes but your comment made it clear.

[@cluelessbaj9563]

this is honestly my favorite music theory creator. explain stuff simple, but effective

[@WriteASong]

Thanks!

[@d.k.1465]

21:25 Love it! 46:37

[@jorgeparr3002]

Awesome 🎉 THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@WriteASong]

You are welcome!

[@alvarpaide1854]

Wow thank you sooo much. I was so confused about modes, because all videos explain them through "scale" but we need chords under scale to feel the mode.

[@WriteASong]

You're very welcome!

[@RangKlos]

This is gold, my friends. Pure gold! Thx a million!

[@WriteASong]

Thank you!

[@dionysuslevin9222]

Thank you! Very helpful

[@WriteASong]

You're welcome!

[@dannuttle9005]

I feel like the pledge in "Animal House" when he gazes at his thumb and says, "So you mean, there could be like a whole other universe under my thumbnail?"

[@pintola1]

I shared this vid with all my friends. The way you teach is outstanding. This is the best channel in the history of youtube. Many thanks. 🎹

[@WriteASong]

Thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed it!

[@itso999]

Wow, this is the best. I've been making my way through this lesson for about a week now and it's been fantastic. Still, ways to go but this is like a whole semester of music theory in one video! Thank you!

[@WriteASong]

You're welcome, I'm glad you're enjoying the video!

[@dannysp664]

Sending this to anyone who asks me about modes. This covers absolutely everything you could want in such an easily digestible way. Kudos to you!

[@WriteASong]

Thanks, I'm glad the video has helped you!

[@emilkalinin5186]

I cannot find words to express how I am impressed by the work you do for people. I have been trying to understand this aspect of the music theory for so long because all the explanations I had before were either too long or too 'overweight' in case of understanding, and you explained everything easily and simply in practically one hour. THANK YOU SO MUCH! :) God bless you for your generosity and hard work!

[@WriteASong]

Thank you! You're very welcome!

[@doodle_pug]

There are hand full of videos i've watched that have blown my mind in terms of music theory and this video is definitely probably best one that tops them all!

[@WriteASong]

Thanks!

[@qazjvm]

Nice lesson. I learnt the same concept from a rick beato video feat. frank gambale where frank stresses on playing just the 1 4 5 of each mode (including harmonic minor) to bring out the mood / flavour of that mode. Your lesson explores it in more details. Nicely done.

[@WriteASong]

Yes I've seen that video, it is very helpful. Thanks for the kind comment!

[@sorenhd66]

This the best explanation about modes.thank you

[@WriteASong]

You are welcome!

[@TheGoatBeats]

Phrygian for gangsta rap is always nice :)

[@balbino4]

Very very very very good! Thank you very much!

[@WriteASong]

You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@jayluvsmaiden8201]

Thanks so much for this lesson. You have made this so clear to me now. I have been struggling with the modes for a long time, but your video removed all doubts. Of course I have to watch this video many times to learn to use the modes in my songs, but at least I have a path that I can walk on. You are brilliant! I am really grateful to you!

[@WriteASong]

You're very welcome, I'm glad you find the video so helpful! Good luck with your songwriting!

[@l.romain6447]

Thanks!

[@WriteASong]

Thank you for the support!

[@RockerProf]

This video is absolutely brilliant. I have been studying modes and this video unifies so many of the loose ends that have been floating around in my brain. It all makes sense now. Thank you so much for doing this video. Your chord sequence rifs are super helpful.

[@WriteASong]

You're welcome Anne, I'm glad the video helped you!

[@DrDAAD]

Well, I know I am...wrong but for me the best way that works is this: While using a C "pedal" I am just looking for all the major scales that contain the note "C" on it. So, I am using the cycle of fifths. Up, first: G major scale contains the note C. I will than play the G major scale but starting from C note. So, I am getting the lydian mode. Going up further from G there is no more Major scales containing C note. So, down : F Major. Starting from C note will be the Mixolydian mode. Further, Bb Major played from C will be Dorian mode etc. As wrong as this might be, for me is still easier than thinking tones and halftones in different order. Just my way of "solving the problem".... ;) Great video though! It explains everything we need to know to have "no more secrets" about modes. Thank you! :)

[@WriteASong]

That's an interesting approach, nothing wrong with it if it helps you!

[@DrDAAD]

@@WriteASong Thank you. I try to simplify things or let's say find solutions that works for me best. Actually, I am much more comfortable "translating" chord symbols into polychords. For instance D over C7 in stead of C7,9,11+ 13 etc...or such... I find it more creative and somehow easier to try different voicing. 🙏

[@MrJeremyWeeks]

Great video! Even Rick Beato couldn’t explain modes to me!

[@WriteASong]

Thanks, that's high praise!

[@user-jt9su5yw3j]

Very useful video, thank you.

[@WriteASong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jjdhhh]

¡Gracias!.Nice and well explained.Enjoyed it!

[@WriteASong]

Thank you for the support! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@leemus1966]

You just got a new subscriber! Thank you for doing what you do!

[@WriteASong]

Thanks for the sub!

[@linotom1887]

Perhaps if you play each mode 2 or 3 times, it will be a better memory retainer... 🎹🔊🎶👂🏽x 3

[@jasoncolap]

Great

[@Joey0367]

This is one of the best, most informative videos I’ve seen in quite a while pertaining to music theory. Thank you so much!

[@WriteASong]

You're very welcome!

[@ChrisMuellerMusic]

Very useful video. Thanks. I spotted an error in the mixolydian part of the video, though. From 38:48 onwards the screen displays C Mixolydian correctly BUT the piano plays C Lydian instead of C Mixolydian. That confused me momentarily.

[@WriteASong]

Thanks, yes I'm aware of the mistake. Will hopefully be able to put up a correction soon.

[@_shoneplays_]

Thank you so much brother !! Really appreciated 🥹❤️‍🔥

[@WriteASong]

You're welcome!

[@Archangel_Michaels]

Thank you so much for sharing all your hard work, music is a gift of God and you are one of the very few people on KZbin that actually knows what they are talking about, outstanding. ! Like ps What software did you use to create your animations? Thanks!

[@WriteASong]

You're welcome! I use Hookpad to make my chord animations. Here's a video I made about it : kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6i0qYypi9WCp5Y

[@dumpsterdom89]

Since the notes values are outside of the key of c, does that mean they’re parallel modes? Relative modes use the same exact notes as the C Ionian, just shifting the window over the same interval pattern of C ionian relative to the new tonal center. Am I pointed in the right direction here?

[@WriteASong]

Yes you are correct in your thinking. I have a video about changing key that also touches on these ideas 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/haGzpH2go8yrp5Y

[@dannuttle9005]

To those who are still pretty unfamiliar with all of the stuff in this video, let me offer a bit of advice that I would have found really useful some years ago: Don't try to absorb it all at once. Bookmark this video! Then go play. Start with Dorian. Play through all of the examples you see here, and then make up your own. Dig in the sandbox. It's a ton of fun, and you will learn really useful things. Don't go on to the next one until you have a feel for a mode. And take notes. Write stuff down. Come back to your notes later. Find songs that use the mode, and learn to play at least the chords. You will be glad you did.

[@WriteASong]

Good advice, thanks for sharing!

[@samuelgarcialopez4061]

11:26

[@marklevy9314]

One small mistake. The C Mixolydian scale was played as C Lydian.

[@WriteASong]

I knew there was one somewhere and forgot to go back through and correct it! Thanks for pointing it out, I'm still waiting for KZbin to roll out the correction feature...

[@draghicesco5880]

I just finished your series in modulation. I suppose if aeolian has it's own modulations these must do to. Any video on that or some reference?

[@WriteASong]

Thanks for watching the modulation series! I haven't done a video about the other modes, but the same principles would apply. There will be chords in common with each mode that can facilitate changing key.

[@rogeryoung6055]

How do I write a tune in D Dorian. It has two flats 3 and 7. What key signature should I use and how is the staff set up to signify. I have never seen any mention of this topic in any presentation on dorian mode.

[@WriteASong]

This is outside my knowledge but here is an interesting discussion about this : music.stackexchange.com/questions/930/key-signature-for-writing-in-modes-other-than-major-and-minor#939

[@lokmht9626]

Hello sir thank u this is really helpful can u help in writing the Ionian and aeolian chord progression I couldn’t find in the video or any suggestions thanks 🙏🙏🙏👍👍

[@WriteASong]

Yes I made the following videos : Ionian / Major kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5jMZXeDbpqaipY Aeolian / Minor : kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3iYiWCFmcmefpY I hope that helps you!

[@lokmht9626]

Thank u

[@Fendelfull]

It’s a lot, and maybe my ears are fatigued, but that F in your mixolydian played @38:49 sure sounds sharp to me. Do I need to get some rest? Or is there something to this? I did a double take, expecting the first 6 notes to sound major, and for some reason, they didn’t. It’d be good to know for certain if you made a mistake or if my ears are fooling with me, but either way, this video is fantastic and I’ll need to use it for reference until all the modes sink into my thick skull. Thanks for all your work!

[@WriteASong]

Yes there is a mistake, well spotted! I have been hoping to put in a correction, but KZbin haven't rolled the feature out yet. Thanks for the kind words, you can get some rest now!

[@kukumuniu5658]

So what,still nothing about harmonic Major/ionian b6 but ionian b6 is very interesting for several reasons firstly, we have a few rootless dominants in it not only in the seventh degree (but these roots are nondiatonic,what opportunities does it give us?) second, we have several different tonic chords for one scale degree (few,not all), if we omit the rule of 3rd chord construction How to use it in tonal and modal music?

[@WriteASong]

I made a note about it and will cover it eventually, I only have time to make one video per week.

[@kukumuniu5658]

@@WriteASong :) This is such a mysterious,taboo and fascinating thing(ionian b6) that it requires at least seven videos. Who and for what purpose created the harmonic Major if no one uses it, teaches about it, there are no songs anywhere etc Like witnesses of a crime intimidated by the mafia, I saw nothing, I heard nothing,I have no time - ??? There is a conspiracy of silence, ionian b6 is taboo mode

[@wendwaogaouedraogo5629]

Si tu peut faire en français sa me plai

[@WriteASong]

Je suis désolé, je ne parle pas beaucoup de Français.

[@linotom1887]

Why the the first note a C instead of an A ? ..this has always been a frustration in my learnings..😫🎸🤷🏻‍♂️

[@WriteASong]

The examples all use C as the tonic or first note. But any note can be the first note in a mode or a scale. For example, you have the C major scale, but also the A major scale, B major scale etc. I hope that clears things up for you a bit.

[@linotom1887]

@@WriteASong ..got it thanks👍🏽, but i mean why the first note (Do) is a C instead of an A being the first note of the alphabet? .. this makes understanding more confusing and harder for a global common sense.. ..1/Do/A....2/Re/B....3/Mi/C....4/Fa/D....5/Sol/E....6/La/F....7/Si/G.....🤔💭🤷🏻‍♂️

[@WriteASong]

Oh, I see what you mean! The do re mi is sung to the c major scale which is the white notes on a piano. I am not sure why the notes were labelled in this way originally, it probably developed over many centuries. Sorry I can't help you further!

[@linotom1887]

@@WriteASong ..yes it was centuries ago by the italian music reading founders(solfeggio).....but my point was about the later traslation and/or adaptation by/to/for the English way....Thereafter, why the first white note of the first major scale is named "C".. instead of being "A" the name for the first note and first major scale..as a logical order..and learning ease? 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️

[@WriteASong]

It's a good question, I wish I knew the answer!

[@cuico2008]

Thanks!

[@WriteASong]

You're very welcome, thank you for the support!