Originally Posted by: HambergHeres what im not understanding.

The tonal steps define the scale. If you change those then the scale changes. But you can change the modal steps of the scale without changing the scale itself.

But if you flatten the 3rd (a modal step,) then the scale does change to a minor scale. It would have to be because the 1st triad of the scale is now of a minor tonality. Doesn't flattening the 3rd also make the 5th triad a minor chord too?

what the hell is up with this.

what u are talking about is correct.. but u can use modes in a way that utilizes the triad without changing tonality of the triad. by this I mean if u are in the key of C u have C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C then moving onto the second degree u would start on the D which would give u D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D (this is the dorian mode) what u are basicaly doing is using the same notes but starting from a different position of the scale.. and this is true when u get to the 6th degree the Aiolion mode (minor) u start on A so u get A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A giving u a minor tonality over a major chord but still keeping the same notes and not flattening the 3rd and so on..