The musical modes

[darcyhj]

Just wondering how you teach your students the modes, do you get them to play them as scales?

[jabbz]

I've taught them as formulas, and in reference to their chords in a diatonic setting.

[quantum]

First introduction would probably be using the white key gamut.  C to C - Ionian, D - D dorian, and so forth. 

Once they are familiar with that idea, I could reintroduce the modes with a fixed note tonic.  C - C for all modes.  Ordering them from all notes in highest position (Lydian) to lowest position (Locrian).  This enforces the concept of scale degrees modified to create modes. 

I may also introduce things afterwards such as pentatonic scales, the blues scale and some other non western modes such as Hijaz. 

I like to link modes to pieces, so after we learn a mode, we can hear what it sounds like in real music.   

[gerryjay]

hi, darcy!

i use music, away from the piano. you can choose from plainchant, secular medieval  chant, some renaissance works, debussy, bartok, blues, rock, jazz... i like to organize several examples of the same mode in a folder and give to the pupil. provided that s/he did listen to that very much, you can work the way you want: improvising (vocal or piano), teaching some of the pieces s/he listen to, composing.

anyway, i didn't find the best results by presenting modes as scales, because this is an over simplification. the scale is useful as a "concrete spot" to place some considerations (where does the mode rests? what makes it different from the others? what is its striking characteristic?), but a modal system is much more complex and interesting than a set of keys or a finger sequence. i actually prefer to let the student "find" the scale, as a group of the sounds s/he is listening to. of course, after one or two modes, they go directly to the scale, but i find them managing the information in a deeper way than otherwise.

best wishes!

[dan101]

I used them more often when teaching composition, although I have recently began teaching them a lot in piano lessons, in conjunction with jazzy chords that can suitably accompany them.