Modes

As many people know, there are many layers to Gregorian Chant. For one, there are modes.

Modes are a series of whole steps and half steps, similar to scales, but that are beyond our modern western understanding of major and minor. We do hear these modes today in jazz, avant-garde classical music, and folk songs from other countries without even realizing it.

The best way to describe modes is this: Think of the modern C major scale.

C D E F G A B C. No sharps and no flats in the key signature.

The first mode, the major scale, is called Ionian.

Now if we start and end the mode on the note D, same tones, just in a different order, D E F G A B C D, we have what is called the Dorian mode. If you hear it, the mode has a similar complexity to the minor scale, but the sixth note in the scale is raised up a half step.

From E to E is called Phrygian.

F to F is Lydian.

G to G is Mixolydian.

A to A is Aeolian, also the natural minor scale.

The last one, B to B, is Locrian, yet rarely used.