I am a huge advocate of the simple things in life. One of my favorites is the good old 1, 4, 5, progression. In my opinion it is much more difficult to write a simple/easy song that is good than it is to write a complicated/hard song. This is another debate maybe reserved for a different forum. Personally, I do like both, but this article is intended to turn the first notion on it’s head.
I will use the simple chord scale for IONIAN, or more commonly known as MAJOR.
IONIAN= C Major D minor E minor F Major G Major/Dominant A minor B Diminished
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
If you do the “harmonic math” you will see how easily I came up with this chord scale. If there are questions, please post and I will do a seperate article on how to make chord scales.
1,4,5 in C major (Ionian)
Simply: C MAJOR - F MAJOR - G MAJOR/DOMINANT
1 4 5
The numbers 1-7 are the scale tones, and the modes built off of each are as follows
1 IONIAN (Major)
2 DORIAN
3 PHRYGIAN
4 LYDIAN
5 MIXOLYDIAN
6 AEOLIAN (minor)
7 LOCRIAN (diminished)
Interestingly enough the “harmonic math” works out the same, and the chord scale for Ionian can be used as a template.
Or you can just figure it out with the circle of fifths. Which I highly recommend, but for now….
I will take the template (IONIAN) and make another chord scale.
Only this time I will use Dorian. Since it is the second mode, simply start on the second tone and use the template for the chord scale.
D minor E minor F major G major/dominant A minor B diminished C major
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1,4,5 in D Dorian
Simply D minor - G major/dominant - A minor
1 4 5
Compare the D Dorian harmony to the standard D Minor (Aeolian) progression.
1,4,5 in D Minor
Simply D minor - G minor - A minor/dominant
Of course you could play D Dorian (DEFGABCD) on top of this to achieve a unique effect.
B natural and B flat are the sweet notes.
Try D Dorian against its natural background for the full Dorian sound.
Let me know which one you like better, and is more fun to play on top of.
This can be done in all keys with all of the modes.
Have fun.
more articles by John Endris
