Music help!?

Question

I am having difficulty understanding about key singatures and diiferent modes (e.g. aorian, dorian) could somebody please explain?

Answer 1

Key signatures are based on the major scale. the major scale pattern is whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. So, for example, the key of C would be the C major scale: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. Since the intervals between B and C and E and F are half steps, there are no flats or sharps in the key of C. The key of G has one sharp in it, the F#, because the G major scale is G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G. Since the interval between E and F is only a half step, and the last interval in the major scale is supposed to be a whole step, the F is sharp.
There is a pattern you can remember to make the key signatures For keys with sharps in the signature, the order of sharps is F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#,B#. The order of flats is Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb (Notice that this is just the sharp order backwards).
Two things I recommend you do to fully understand key signatures is to (1) learn and study the circle of fifths, and (2) write out every major key and pay attention to where the sharps and flats are.

As for modes, they are really just a way to make the major scale more complicated. There are seven modes - one for each note of the major scale.* Basically, modes are the same as the major scale, but they start on a different note. For simplicity reasons, I will explain this using the key of C. The first mode is the Ionan. The Ionan mode is exactly the same as the major scale. You really don't have to worry about this one as much as the others. The second mode is the Dorian Scale. The Dorian Scale has the same interval order as the major scale, except that it starts on the second note of the scale. Relative to the key of C, the Dorian scale would be D dorian. The pattern of D dorian is: D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D. These are the same notes that are in C major. The next mode is Phrygian, which starts on the third note of the major scale. The phrygian scale relative to C major would be E phrygian: E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E. This pattern continues to F Lydian, G Mixolydian, A Aeolian, and B Locrean. All of these scales have the exact same notes, they just start on different notes.

Once you learn the major scales, it will be easier to understand modes. The theory of modes is a lot easier than learning when to use them as opposed to the major cale.

*Each type of scale has its own modes, but for now you only need to worry about the modes of the major scale.

Answer 2

This link will help you.

http://www.guitarzone.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t103909.html

Answer 3

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