Originally posted by msinia
Normally on a song for example, you use all root notes for one mode, or you use 1 root note for every mode? Hope i'm clear enough.

Actualy I didn't get what you mean, but anyway here's how modes work...

Let's say we have a Cmajor scale (for the ease of learning you should start with Cmaj since there ain't no sharps or flats).

The notes are C D E F G A B [c] ... That's called the Ionian mode or the major scale (key) , starting with C and ending with a C, that's the root note of t ..
How about playing the same notes (without inserting any sharps or flats) , but starting and ending with the second note of the major key which is D in this case... That's the D dorian mode (D E F G A B C [d]) .. you've just changed the root note into D.

Play the same notes starting from the E (3rd note) , you get an E phrygian... got it?

Here's how they relate to the major key:
=============================

1st Ionian
2nd Dorian
3rd Phrygian
4th Lydian
5th Mixolydian
6th Aeolian
7th Locrian


Do the same thing with other keys...

I didn't want to make it a longer post, so I hope this is clear enough...

[Edited by SLY on 01-13-2003 at 06:22 AM]