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Modal chord progressions
Modal chord progressions
This text will visualize a way to harmonize the seven modes of the major scale using three simple chord shapes. This can be used as an aid playing modal chord progressions and also help understand the underlying theory. A few examples of modal chord progressions are also given.
;For more charts and tutorials see the preset-menu at top left, or click the links below for text on related topics:
- Derive the modes of the major scale using the pentatonic scales
- The concept of harmonizing scales explained
In the same way the major scale is harmonized to derive all chords in a given key, each and every mode of the major scale can be harmonized also. By harmonizing the modes of the major scale you will be given the ordered sets of chords to play all different modal progressions. By using three different chord shapes you can harmonize all seven modes of the major scale as seen below. At the very bottom there are few samples of modal chord progressions to try.
;Chords
;Harmonizing the modes of the major scale
;See how the chord shapes move changing mode.
;Sample progressions
;| Major/Ionian | Dorian | Phrygian | Lydian | Mixolydian | Minor/Aeolian | Locrian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV | i–IV–i–♭VII–i | i–♭II–♭III–i | I–II–I–II | I–♭VII–I–♭VII–I | i–iv–v–i | none* |
| IV–I–V–vi | i–♭VII–i–♭VII–i | i–♭III–♭vii–i | I–V–I–II–I | I–IV–I–♭VII–I | i–♭VI–♭VII–i | none* |
*The diminished chord is considered too unstable to use as a tonic.
;This text will visualize a way to harmonize the seven modes of the major scale using three simple chord shapes. This can be used as an aid playing modal chord progressions and also help understand the underlying theory. A few examples of modal chord progressions are also given.
;For more charts and tutorials see the preset-menu at top left, or click the links below for text on related topics:
- Derive the modes of the major scale using the pentatonic scales
- The concept of harmonizing scales explained
In the same way the major scale is harmonized to derive all chords in a given key, each and every mode of the major scale can be harmonized also. By harmonizing the modes of the major scale you will be given the ordered sets of chords to play all different modal progressions. By using three different chord shapes you can harmonize all seven modes of the major scale as seen below. At the very bottom there are few samples of modal chord progressions to try.
;Chords
;Harmonizing the modes of the major scale
;See how the chord shapes move changing mode.
;Sample progressions
;| Major/Ionian | Dorian | Phrygian | Lydian | Mixolydian | Minor/Aeolian | Locrian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV | i–IV–i–♭VII–i | i–♭II–♭III–i | I–II–I–II | I–♭VII–I–♭VII–I | i–iv–v–i | none* |
| IV–I–V–vi | i–♭VII–i–♭VII–i | i–♭III–♭vii–i | I–V–I–II–I | I–IV–I–♭VII–I | i–♭VI–♭VII–i | none* |
*The diminished chord is considered too unstable to use as a tonic.
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