Chord progressions relative to modes?

[Akira]

OK, just a little thing i'm confusing myself over, i'll try explain this as best I can.

I'm wondering about chord sequences and their relation to modes. So for example, lets take a simple chord progression, I, V, III, Lets chose a simple key also, say, the Key of C.

If we play that I, V, III progression, we will play the chords of Cmaj, Gmaj, and Emin. But, i'm wondering if, say we take the relative minor scale to the C major scale, in which case, would be the A natural minor scale (aka the Aeolian mode): A, B, C, D, E, F, G. (So basically up to this point, we want to play in the key of C using the A Aeolian mode.) Would it change the chord progression, to Amin, Emin, Cmaj?

So would the chord progression change according to the chosen mode? Or would the chord progression stay relative to the major scale of the key?

Just need to clear this up, it's been bugging me all day. :p

[Akira]

Bump. :)

Could really do with some help on this, it's still bugging me. :p

[Akira]

Aww c'mon guys. :(

[hammetthead13]

theory isn't my strongest point, though i am making an effort. so i know this is still bugging you so try this http://www.cyberfret.com/theory/modes/101/page5.php it may help, but i'm not to sure. hope it does though!!

[Akira]

The page loads blank. :(

[hammetthead13]

The page loads blank. :(


doesn't on my laptop. just try www.cyberfret.com and type this if the link doesn't work. go to theory, modes, and it's on page 5.

good luck!!

[hammetthead13]

Did the site work?

[Christoph]

Chord progressions are built off the scale. Actually, chord progressions and scales are basically the same thing. What I mean is that they both have to agree, only chords use more notes of the same scale (i.e. triads, etc).

For example, you can't play a Gmaj7 in a chord progression that's based off C major. First of all, it would sound like crap, and second of all, C major does not have an F#.

When you say that you're playing a I,V,III, you have to look at the tonal center. In relation to C major, yes, you're playing I(C),V(G),III(Em). If you switch to A minor and play a I,V,III that would be I(Am),V(Em),III(C). It wouldn't really make sense to call this a VI, III, I (in relation to C major) because your tonal center is A.

So, for example, if you go to E phrygian and play I,V,III, it would be Em, Bdim5, G. Ok, hope I muddied the waters a bit. Cheerio!

[Akira]

Chord progressions are built off the scale. Actually, chord progressions and scales are basically the same thing. What I mean is that they both have to agree, only chords use more notes of the same scale (i.e. triads, etc).

For example, you can't play a Gmaj7 in a chord progression that's based off C major. First of all, it would sound like crap, and second of all, C major does not have an F#.

When you say that you're playing a I,V,III, you have to look at the tonal center. In relation to C major, yes, you're playing I(C),V(G),III(Em). If you switch to A minor and play a I,V,III that would be I(Am),V(Em),III(C). It wouldn't really make sense to call this a VI, III, I (in relation to C major) because your tonal center is A.

So, for example, if you go to E phrygian and play I,V,III, it would be Em, Bdim5, G. Ok, hope I muddied the waters a bit. Cheerio!

That was perfect! That nailed my question. Thanks dude! :D

[Christoph]

Whoohoo! Good luck, dude.

[Tiddles]

No. The mode is basically the name of the scale that your using to play over the chord sequence - changing which mode or even which scale you use has no effect on the chord progression itself.

[Akira]

*confused*

Ok, looking for a third view on this now...?

[noticingthemistake]

No. The mode is basically the name of the scale that your using to play over the chord sequence - changing which mode or even which scale you use has no effect on the chord progression itself.

A mode is a tonal scale but starting on a note other than the tonic, or root. Am I correct to think your saying that if you have a chord progession in C major, you could use any mode of the C major scale? I.E. you have a chord progression like Cmaj7 - Dm6 - G7. You could use either the C major scale, E phrygian, G mixolydian, etc etc.

However you can use modes to change the harmony too. If you write in G mixolydian, the seventh is flattened. bVII = Fmaj. And when it comes to the minor modes, things can be even more altered. Alot of times to imply the dominant-tonic function, like D dorian. Am sometimes becomes A7, then resolves to Dm. A Dorian cadence.