Understanding Modes

[gcancella]

@hogank

In other words isn’t the “D” Dorian Mode is just the D major scale and so on and so for the other root notes when playing modes.

But to answer you, without confusing you more than needed, no. the D dorian mode, is essentially the C major scale (ionian) but starting on the 2nd degree.

Here are some pics to illustrate it

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As you can see, we go from a WWHWWWH pattern to a WHWWWHW pattern. In bold, for illustration, it’s the initial root on the major scale.
And this is true for the remaining modes. Meaning, the 3rd mode (Phrygian) will be HWWWHWW

Here a C Dorian for reference

But read the thread I linked as it’s rich in information. I remember a very good post from @Gio on “why do we need modes”.

Edit: The post from Gio is actually on a thread linked inside that thread.

Please help. I'm in a bad mode

This is an excellent and massive question! You are exactly right that the notes are the same for the scales of all three modes through that progression. I completely understand the “why does it matter which one I’m using” question. Here is why. For each chord there is a different frame of reference to show the structure of the specific chord you’re playing on. The mode defines this. For improvising bass lines, it is absolutely imperative that you build from the correct root note, and est…