CHARACTER OF EACH MODE

 

If you've been trying to play a few chords or scales, you might have realized that major chords/scales sound bright, happy and upbeat. And you might also have found the minor chords and scales to sound dark, mysterious, melancholy and sad.

Similarly, the 7 modes have their own characteristic major or minor sound.

 

I The first mode Ionian is a major mode
II The second mode Dorian is a minor mode
III The third mode Phrygian is a minor mode
IV The fourth mode Lydian is a major mode
V The fifth mode Mixolydian is a major mode
VI The sixth mode Aoleon is a minor mode
VII The seventh mode Locrian is a minor mode

 

So we see that there are 3 Major Modes and 4 Minor Modes.