11.1 Modes and Synthetic Scales
5 min read•july 29, 2024
Modes and synthetic scales revolutionized 20th-century music, breaking free from traditional tonality. These innovative approaches to pitch organization opened up new sonic possibilities, allowing composers to create unique harmonic colors and evoke specific moods or cultural associations.
From 's dreamy whole-tone landscapes to 's cool modal jazz, these techniques became essential tools for modern composers. They continue to shape contemporary music, offering endless creative possibilities for expressing emotion and pushing musical boundaries.
Modes and Synthetic Scales
Construction and Characteristics of Modern Modes
Top images from around the web for Construction and Characteristics of Modern Modes
Modal Schemas – Open Music Theory View original
Is this image relevant?
Mode (music) - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Modal schemas – Open Music Theory View original
Is this image relevant?
Modal Schemas – Open Music Theory View original
Is this image relevant?
Mode (music) - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Construction and Characteristics of Modern Modes
Modal Schemas – Open Music Theory View original
Is this image relevant?
Mode (music) - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Modal schemas – Open Music Theory View original
Is this image relevant?
Modal Schemas – Open Music Theory View original
Is this image relevant?
Mode (music) - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- The seven modern modes (, , , , , , and ) are constructed by starting on different of the major scale
- Ionian begins on the 1st degree and is equivalent to the major scale
- Dorian begins on the 2nd degree and features a minor 3rd and 7th
- Phrygian begins on the 3rd degree and features a minor 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th
- Lydian begins on the 4th degree and features a raised 4th
- Mixolydian begins on the 5th degree and features a minor 7th
- Aeolian begins on the 6th degree and is equivalent to the natural minor scale
- Locrian begins on the 7th degree and features a minor 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th
- Each mode has a unique that contributes to its distinctive sound and character
- The raised 4th in Lydian creates a bright, uplifting quality
- The minor 7th in Mixolydian gives it a bluesy or folk-like character
- The minor 2nd and 5th in Locrian create a sense of tension and instability
Creation and Properties of Synthetic Scales
- Synthetic scales are created by combining elements of different scales or by altering traditional scales
- The , also known as the diminished scale, is constructed by alternating whole steps and half steps
- There are two possible transpositions: W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H or H-W-H-W-H-W-H-W
- The scale's symmetrical construction allows for smooth modulations and creates a sense of ambiguity
- The is constructed entirely of whole steps, resulting in a scale with six notes per octave
- The absence of half steps creates a sense of tonal ambiguity and a floating, dreamlike quality
- Composers like Debussy and Ravel frequently used the whole-tone scale in their impressionistic works
- Pentatonic scales are five-note scales with major and minor variations
- The major consists of scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the major scale
- The minor pentatonic scale consists of scale degrees 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the natural minor scale
- Pentatonic scales are widely used in folk, blues, and rock music due to their simplicity and distinctive sound
Harmonic Implications of Non-Traditional Scales
Modal Harmony and Emotional Associations
- Modes offer unique harmonic colors and melodic possibilities that differ from traditional major and minor scales
- The use of modes can evoke specific emotional or cultural associations
- Dorian mode is often used for a somber or medieval sound (Miles Davis' "So What")
- Mixolydian mode is frequently employed for a bluesy or folk-like character (The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood")
- can be created by emphasizing the characteristic scale degrees and intervals of each mode
- In Dorian, the minor 3rd and 7th can be highlighted to create a modal sound
- In Lydian, the raised 4th can be featured to create a sense of brightness and uplift
Harmonic Ambiguity and Tension in Synthetic Scales
- Synthetic scales create ambiguous tonality and unique harmonic possibilities
- The whole-tone scale's absence of half steps leads to a sense of floating or dreamlike harmony
- Debussy's "Voiles" from his piano preludes showcases the ethereal quality of the whole-tone scale
- The octatonic scale's alternating whole and half steps create a sense of tension and instability
- Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" features octatonic passages that contribute to the work's dissonance and drama
- Pentatonic scales, with their limited number of notes, can create a sense of simplicity, openness, or exoticism
- Dvořák's "New World Symphony" incorporates pentatonic melodies inspired by Native American and African American music
Composing with Modes and Scales
Exploiting Characteristic Intervals and Scale Degrees
- When composing with modes, consider the characteristic intervals and scale degrees that define each mode's unique sound
- Emphasize the raised 4th in Lydian to create a sense of brightness and optimism
- Highlight the minor 3rd and 7th in Dorian to evoke a somber or introspective mood
- Use the unique scale degrees to create melodic motifs or themes that showcase the mode's character
- A melody centered around the raised 4th in Lydian can create a sense of uplifting adventure
- A theme emphasizing the minor 2nd and 5th in Locrian can convey tension and unease
Combining and Layering Modes and Scales
- Exploit the unique harmonic possibilities of synthetic scales by creating chord progressions or ostinatos that highlight their distinctive intervallic structures
- A whole-tone chord progression can create a sense of tonal ambiguity and dreamlike atmosphere
- An octatonic ostinato can provide a foundation for dissonant and dramatic melodies
- Combine different modes or synthetic scales within a single composition to create contrast, tension, or resolution between sections
- Juxtapose a Lydian section with a Locrian section to create a sense of tonal conflict and resolution
- Transition from a pentatonic melody to a whole-tone harmony to create a shift in emotional or cultural context
- Experiment with layering multiple modes or synthetic scales to create polymodal or polytonal textures
- Combine a Dorian melody with a Mixolydian accompaniment to create a complex and intriguing harmonic landscape
- Layer a whole-tone ostinato with an octatonic melody to create a sense of tonal ambiguity and tension
Historical Context of Modes and Scales
Early 20th Century Pioneers
- The use of modes and synthetic scales gained prominence in the early 20th century as composers sought to break away from traditional tonality
- Impressionist composers, such as and , frequently employed modes and synthetic scales to create coloristic, atmospheric, and ambiguous harmonies
- Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" features extensive use of the whole-tone scale and modal harmonies
- Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloé" incorporates various modes and synthetic scales to create a lush and evocative soundscape
- and other nationalist composers incorporated modal scales from folk music traditions into their compositions, often combining them with modern harmonic techniques
- Bartók's "Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta" features modal melodies inspired by Hungarian folk music
- Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" employs modal harmonies to evoke a sense of ancient English spirituality
Jazz and Minimalism
- Jazz composers and improvisers explored the use of modes and synthetic scales in their compositions and solos
- Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" album heavily features modal jazz, with compositions like "So What" and "All Blues" based on Dorian and Mixolydian modes
- 's "Giant Steps" showcases his mastery of the octatonic scale and advanced harmonic concepts
- Minimalist composers often employed modal and pentatonic scales in their repetitive and gradually evolving musical structures
- 's "Music for 18 Musicians" uses a series of modal harmonies and pentatonic melodies to create a hypnotic and meditative soundscape
- ' "Satyagraha" incorporates modal and pentatonic scales inspired by Indian classical music to evoke a sense of spiritual transcendence
Key Terms to Review (27)
Aeolian: Aeolian refers to one of the musical modes derived from the natural minor scale, specifically the sixth mode. It is characterized by its unique pattern of whole and half steps, creating a distinct sound that evokes a sense of melancholy or introspection. This mode plays a significant role in various musical contexts, influencing compositions and improvisations across different genres.
Béla Bartók: Béla Bartók was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, and pianist, known for his significant contributions to 20th-century music. His work is characterized by the incorporation of folk music elements, innovative use of modes, and synthetic scales, which played a crucial role in the evolution of modern music. Bartók's exploration of modes and the blending of folk traditions with classical forms helped to establish him as a key figure in the development of new musical languages.
Characteristic Tones: Characteristic tones refer to specific notes within a musical scale or mode that define its unique sound or identity. These tones often highlight the essential intervals and create the distinctive harmonic and melodic qualities associated with that scale or mode, playing a critical role in shaping the musical language of compositions.
Claude Debussy: Claude Debussy was a French composer known for his innovative approach to music that helped usher in the Impressionist movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works often feature rich harmonies, nontraditional scales, and a unique orchestration style that emphasizes color and texture, setting the stage for new developments in music theory.
Debussy: Claude Debussy was a French composer who is often associated with the Impressionist movement in music. His innovative use of harmony, texture, and form transformed traditional Western classical music, making him a key figure in the transition to modern musical styles. Debussy's exploration of modes and synthetic scales played a significant role in shaping his distinctive sound world.
Dorian: Dorian is one of the seven musical modes, characterized by a natural minor scale with a raised sixth degree. This unique quality gives the Dorian mode a distinct sound that is often described as jazzy or bluesy. It can be seen as a bridge between major and minor tonalities, allowing for rich harmonic possibilities.
Intervallic structure: Intervallic structure refers to the specific arrangement of intervals, which are the distances between two pitches, within a scale or musical passage. Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing how melodies and harmonies are constructed, as different combinations of intervals create distinct tonalities and emotional effects. In music, the intervallic structure can significantly influence both major and minor scales, as well as modes and synthetic scales, shaping the overall character of a piece.
Ionian: Ionian refers to one of the seven musical modes derived from the diatonic scale, specifically corresponding to the major scale. It features a bright and happy sound, characterized by the interval pattern of whole and half steps: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. The Ionian mode is often used in Western music and serves as a foundational scale for many compositions.
John Coltrane: John Coltrane was a groundbreaking American jazz saxophonist and composer, renowned for his innovative approach to improvisation and harmony. His work, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, expanded the boundaries of jazz by incorporating modal and synthetic scales, paving the way for new styles and techniques in music.
Locrian: Locrian is the seventh mode of the major scale, characterized by its unique interval structure that gives it a diminished quality. It is often considered the least stable of the modes due to its flattened fifth, creating a tense and unresolved sound. This mode is rarely used as a tonal center in Western music, which contributes to its distinctiveness and complexity.
Lydian: Lydian is one of the seven musical modes, characterized by a major scale with a raised fourth degree. This unique feature gives Lydian a bright and dreamy quality, often used in various genres of music to evoke an uplifting and expansive feeling. The mode is essential for understanding modal harmony and is frequently utilized in both improvisation and composition.
Maurice Ravel: Maurice Ravel was a French composer known for his innovative orchestration and complex harmonic language, often associated with Impressionism. His music displays a fascination with color, texture, and rhythm, using modes and synthetic scales to create rich and varied soundscapes that evoke specific moods and imagery.
Melodic development: Melodic development refers to the process of transforming and elaborating a melody throughout a musical piece. This can involve techniques such as variation, fragmentation, and inversion, which help to create interest and maintain the listener's engagement. By using different modes and synthetic scales, composers can explore diverse melodic structures and harmonic possibilities, enriching the overall composition.
Miles Davis: Miles Davis was an influential American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who played a pivotal role in the evolution of jazz throughout the 20th century. He is known for his innovative approaches to harmony, rhythm, and form, particularly through his use of modal jazz and later developments in fusion. Davis's work not only showcases the characteristics of various instrument families but also emphasizes the use of modes and synthetic scales, which helped redefine jazz music.
Mixolydian: Mixolydian is the fifth mode of the diatonic scale, characterized by a major scale with a lowered seventh degree. This unique alteration gives it a distinct sound that combines both major and bluesy qualities, often found in various musical styles including folk, rock, and jazz. Understanding mixolydian helps in analyzing the tonal relationships within modal music and its applications in composition.
Modal harmony: Modal harmony refers to the use of modes—specific scales derived from the diatonic scale that emphasize different note relationships—within harmonic progressions. This concept allows composers to explore tonalities beyond traditional major and minor scales, offering a broader palette of emotional expression and color. Modal harmony is key in many musical genres, enriching compositions with unique soundscapes and textures.
Modal interchange: Modal interchange refers to the practice of borrowing chords from parallel modes, allowing composers and songwriters to introduce colors and harmonies that are not found within the original key. This technique enriches harmonic progressions, creating contrasts and emotional depth by utilizing chords from both major and minor scales, as well as other modes like Dorian, Mixolydian, or Aeolian. By incorporating modal interchange, musicians can create unique soundscapes and explore new musical possibilities.
Modal modulation: Modal modulation is the process of changing from one musical mode to another within a composition, creating shifts in tonal color and emotional expression. This technique allows composers to explore different modal characteristics and can enhance the narrative quality of a piece by introducing new thematic material or altering the harmonic backdrop.
Octatonic Scale: The octatonic scale is a symmetrical eight-note scale that alternates whole and half steps, creating a repeating pattern of intervals. This scale is particularly useful in modern music, allowing for a rich harmonic palette and complex melodies. The octatonic scale can be classified into two main types: the whole-half diminished scale and the half-whole diminished scale, both of which have been extensively used in jazz and contemporary classical music.
Pedal point: A pedal point is a sustained note, typically in the bass, that remains constant while harmonies change above it. This musical technique creates tension and contrast by juxtaposing a stable pitch against shifting chords, often leading to a sense of resolution when the harmonies finally align with the pedal point. Pedal points can enhance non-chord tones and contribute to the character of modes and synthetic scales.
Pentatonic scale: A pentatonic scale is a musical scale that consists of five distinct notes within an octave, which can create a variety of melodies and harmonies. This scale is often used in different musical genres, as it provides a versatile foundation for improvisation and composition. The pentatonic scale can be formed by removing certain notes from a standard seven-note scale, making it simpler and often more accessible for both composers and performers.
Philip Glass: Philip Glass is an influential American composer known for his minimalist music style, characterized by repetitive structures and a focus on process over traditional forms. His work often features simple harmonic progressions and a steady pulse, drawing on elements from various musical traditions while pushing the boundaries of classical music. Glass's compositions have played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of contemporary music and have been instrumental in the popularization of minimalism.
Phrygian: The Phrygian mode is the third mode of the major scale, characterized by its unique interval pattern that gives it a distinctive sound. It can be thought of as a natural minor scale with a lowered second degree, which contributes to its exotic and somewhat dark character. Often found in various musical styles, the Phrygian mode is an essential aspect of understanding modes and synthetic scales.
Scale degrees: Scale degrees are the individual notes within a scale, each given a specific number based on its position relative to the tonic, or the first note of the scale. These degrees serve as a foundation for understanding melodies and harmonies, providing a framework that musicians can use for sight-singing and composing. The identification and function of each scale degree help in analyzing musical structures, creating variations, and employing modes or synthetic scales effectively.
Scale transformation: Scale transformation refers to the process of altering a musical scale by changing its pitches or intervals, often resulting in new modes or synthetic scales. This concept is essential for understanding how scales can be manipulated to create variations in harmony and melody, allowing for greater compositional flexibility and creativity. Through scale transformation, composers can explore different tonalities and expand their musical vocabulary.
Steve Reich: Steve Reich is an influential American composer known for his pioneering work in minimalism, utilizing repetitive structures and phasing techniques to create complex musical textures. His innovative use of polyrhythms and cross-rhythms creates rich layers of sound that challenge traditional rhythmic concepts, while his integration of syncopation adds a dynamic quality to his compositions. Reich's music often reflects a deep engagement with modes and synthetic scales, which contribute to the unique harmonic language found in his works.
Whole-tone scale: A whole-tone scale is a musical scale consisting exclusively of whole steps, meaning that each note is separated by a whole tone from the next. This creates a unique sound that lacks the tension and resolution typically found in traditional scales. Because of its equal interval structure, it often evokes a dreamy or ambiguous quality in music, making it a popular choice for composers looking to create an ethereal atmosphere.