Music theory definition
Mode
A scale made by starting the major scale's notes on a different degree, each with its own colour.
Moving the tonic
Same , new home = a new .
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 13: Modes. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Same notes, new home
What a mode is, and how to find its parent scale.
Explore with an interactive tool
- Scale & mode explorer
Pick any root and scale to see and hear it. Compare two side by side - only the notes that change will move.
Related music terms
- Dorian
- Minor with a raised 6th.
- Phrygian
- Minor with a lowered 2nd.
- Lydian
- Major with a raised 4th.
- Mixolydian
- Major with a lowered 7th.
- Locrian
- Lowered 2nd and 5th; its tonic triad is diminished.
- Modal mixture
- Borrowing chords from the parallel key - for example iv or ♭VI in a major key.