Modes and Chords (Noob Theory 4/10) – Pico-8 Music Tutorial #40

A new tutorial video, complete with at least three audible stomach gurgles. Let’s think of them as easter eggs hah!

--

By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to:

• Find the seven modes of the major scale in Pico-8
• Create chords and stability within each mode using the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees
• Use different modes/chords as the basis of a new composition

One limitation with working with major scales is that you’re limited to a particular emotional character. If you want to express something different from the character of a major scale (darker, lighter, more mysterious etc.) you can use the modes of the major scale. 

For example, in the video, I play the C# major scale starting on the 2nd note (D#). Now D# is the new tonic and is where all the other notes want to resolve. This particular scale is called D# Dorian. Here’s a list of all seven modes of the major scale:

• Ionian (aka the major scale) – Built from the 1st degree of the major scale
• Dorian – Build from the 2nd degree of the major scale
• Phrygian – 3rd
• Lydian – 4th
• Mixolydian – 5th
• Aeolian – 6th
• Locrian – 7th

Each mode has a unique, emotional quality. In some cases, it can be helpful to think of these modes on a scale of lightness and darkness. From light to dark:

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

Want to write music that sounds evil? Start with the Phrygian mode. How about music that sounds cool and mysterious?  Try Dorian and Mixolydian. How about music for a sunrise?  Start with Lydian and Ionian. 

For practice, I’d recommend taking any mode and establishing a sense of stability within that mode using the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees. Then write a melody using all the other notes. To create compositional development, do this again with a different mode and put them together. 

More information about modes can be found in this Wiki, under “Modern modes:” 

Note: as it says in the Wiki, the Locrian mode is inherently unstable. Keep that in mind if you want to write something using that mode!