AboutPhil Kelly Expertise I`m a semi-retired professional music arranger with over thirty five years in all phases of the commercial music production business. I can try to answer questions regarding music arranging, theory, orchestration , and/or composition for most acoustic ensembles .( jazz band or orchestral ) I can try to offer suggestions about studio music recording procedures and some basic MIDI applications , too. In the course of my career I`ve worked with such artists as Doc Severinsen and the old Tonight Show Band, Bill Watrous, Buddy Greco, John Gary, Mel Torme, Julius LaRosa, as well as the Pop programs of the Fort Worth, Dallas, North Carolina, and Houston Symphonies, as well as library music material for ABC, ESPN, and NFL Films.
Question Hello,
First of all, thanks for the help you offer to all those who need it! Much appreciate it!
My question is regarding the tonality in modern songs, from beatles onwards, anything really. What famous songs that you know are set in a MODAL tone? And why are some songs using modes and not major/minor keys? What's the advantage/difference??
I hope you may help,
Take care and best wishes,
Seneca
Answer Hi Seneca:
The modal system as we know them are basically a differing order of whole and half steps than those found in the major /minor system .( Although technically , those scales are represented by two of the modes:
major = Ionian and natural minor = Aeolian )
The remaining modes can be best recognized by their characteristic steps that separate them and the harmonic colors that are derived from these pitch sets .
For example, starting on each of the white keys:
C> C = Ionian ( major scale )
D>D = dorian ( minor scale w/ raised 6th )
E>E = phrigian ( minor scale w/lowered 2nd , 6th and 7th
F>F= lydian ( major scale w/ raised 4th )
G>G = mixolydian ( major scale w/ lowered 7th )
A>A =( natural minor scale )
B>B -locrian ( ? lowered 2nd, 5th,6th and 7th )
As for some pop songs based on modes:
"Maria" and "Somethings Comin'" from West Side Story ( Lydian mode )
"And the Beat Goes On" ( Mixolydian )
"Sometimes I feel like a motherless child & " "Eleanor Rigby" ( dorian )
A lot of Spanish music is written in the Phrygian mode ..
The Locrian is seldom used in its pure form due to the absence of a perfect 5th which hampers the construction of cadences.
Hope this helps!
Phil Kelly
www.philkellymusic.com
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