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 Debussy's dreamy whole-tone landscapes to Miles Davis'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

• The seven modern modes (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian) are constructed by starting on different scale degrees 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 intervallic structure 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 octatonic scale, 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 whole-tone scale 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 pentatonic scale 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")
• Modal harmony 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 Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, 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
• Béla Bartók 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
  • John Coltrane'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
  • Steve Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians" uses a series of modal harmonies and pentatonic melodies to create a hypnotic and meditative soundscape
  • Philip Glass' "Satyagraha" incorporates modal and pentatonic scales inspired by Indian classical music to evoke a sense of spiritual transcendence