need ur help asap

[dcdabassman]

my bass teacher gave me an homeworks wich is to find out the difference between the phrygian, dorian and mixolygian scales and when to apply them....
phrygian C
C-Db-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C

Dorian C
C-D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb-C

Mixolydian C
C-D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C

the only differences I found is that the flats notes are not the same....you can post some youtube video too
Thanks y'all

 

[funkStrat_97]

Phrygian and Dorian scales are minor, the Mixolydian is major.  As to the applications; this is where it gets interesting (and tricky).  You might want to check some music theory sites or go the General music fourm.  I tend not to focus on modes uless I'm using it as altered scale or something.  As far as constructing bass lines go, I would focus on the harmony/chrod progression rather than being concerned about modes, though they could be useful for fills. 

[Torch7]

phrygian C
C-Db-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C

Dorian C
C-D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb-C

Mixolydian C
C-D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C

Like Mentioned before the Dorian and Phrygian are both minor and the Mixolydian is Major.

The Phrygian is made up of:
Root, flatted 2nd, flatted 3rd(which makes it minor), 4th, perfect 5th, flatted 6, & flatted 7.
** The only difference between the Phrygian and a Natural minor however is the Flatted 2nd. **

The Dorian is made up of:
Root, 2nd, flatted 3rd, 4th,  perfect 5th, 6th, flatted 7.
** The only difference between the Dorian and the Natural minor is the 6th, is not flatted.

The Difference between the Phrygian and the dorian then is the 2nd, and the 6th.
Root, flatted 2nd, flatted 3rd(which makes it minor), 4th, perfect 5th, flatted 6, & flatted 7.
Root, 2nd        , flatted 3rd(which makes it minor), 4th, perfect 5th, 6th      , & flatted 7.

Mixolydian is the Major Scale (Ionian Mode) just with a flatted 7.  This mode is often used in funk!

As to when to apply them. Here is a few ways they can be applied. (Note I said few ways, as not to spark are MODE application debate, and whose way is better)

Okay back to the post.
If you are in the Key of Ab & the 3rd Chord is being played, you can utilize a C Phrygian scale (mode) to create a run, riff, or solo, as long as the C chord is being played.  Because the 3rd Degree of the Key of Ab is C, but the C Scale would not apply, there will be certain notes that would not fit... like the D E A & B, instead the Db, Eb, Ab, & Bb would work in that context.

If you were in the Key of Bb, and the 2nd Chord is being played, you can utilize the C Dorian scale (mode) like above because C is the 2nd Degree of the Bb Major Scale.

If you were in the Key of F, and the 5th Chord is being played, which is a dominant chord.  The C Mixolydian can be played because of the flatted 7th.

Knowing these modes like funkStrat_97 said can be very useful for fills, and also for finding your way around the fret board... if you find yourself on the 2 of a progression, in a part of the fretboard that you are unfamiliar with... play the Dorian Mode, it will fit

I hope that was clear.

[1fire-starter]

Hey Torch7

That was well done and you made it easy with your examples. Now I am off to practice.

[phbrown]

You at first I used to think Modes were impossible to understand. However after playing a few years I finally understand them for what they are.


They are simply a scale you are playing but not starting on the root of that scale. Where it gets confusing is the terminology used to explain it. But when a bass player just played the various modes in one key. It made sense.

[funkinater]

I think that the modes are made out to be more difficult than they actually are.
Once you learn the shapes of each mode, they are the same in every key.  As for knowing when to play.....You start by looking at the progression of the song.
Let's say for sake of ease, 1-4-5 progression.  you would use Ionian over the 1,
Lydian over the 4 and Mixolydian over the 5.  I look at it like math.  Once you learn the formulas it all starts making sense.

[berbie]

Funkinator, I thought that was true.  But I wasn't sure since I had not seen the shapes of the modes without the open strings getting in the way.  Correct me if I am wrong. If you want to play the dorian mode, for example, you just start on the second note of the scale that you want to play and use the dorian pattern. Using Bb as an example, you would start on C and play the dorian pattern. You really don't need to know what the notes are.

[funkinater]

Yes that is true.......but you're better off to learn the notes as well.  It's about being as well rounded of a musician as you can be.  Learning theory will help you in the long run. 

[funkinater]

This is just something I've been thinking about lately......What am I doing to help others when it comes to playing bass guitar.  When a cat comes up to you and says, "Dude what was that lick you played on the bridge of that song"?  Do I say, "Ahhhh  man I don't know, I just felt it at the time. It was some kind of blues run or something".  What if I could sit down with him and show him the chord structure of the song and the lick was played off the 5 chord in the progression, and I used a variation of notes using the mixolydian mode.  Just food for thought.