One Key To Learn Them All

One Key To Derive Them • One Key To Shape Them All • And To The Circle Bind Them

The Musical Modes always seemed like magic to me. No one seemed to be able to explain it to me in a way that made sense, Dorian has a flat 3 and flat 7 or Locrian is everything flat except the 4. Others would say, "It's way easier than you think. Play C major but start on D. These were rules, not understanding.

I decided I need to fill in my Music Theory gaps, and I took 10 one hour lessons with Peter De Reyna (Berklee graduate/instructor) and Bassist for the metal band, Seven Spires. Most people would be sitting ready, Bass in hand for their first Video call with Pete, I brought my Piano. My goal: Demystifying the Musical Modes. ...and learning to write chord progressions for my lyrics.

I learn by reverse engineering systems to make sure their logic works forward and backward, and as with most things, I started building an image to help me visualize the Modes. In that process, I discovered the Modes could be easily derived with a Master Key—a key you likely already possess if you are asking questions about the Modes:

The Major Scale Formula:
Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half

This is the Major Scale interval pattern. I realized that every single mode is just this pattern shifted over by one note. If you move the first 'W' to the end, you get Dorian. Do it again, you get Phrygian. If you keep going, Locrian eventually loops perfectly back to Ionian.

When I showed this visual logic to my instructor and my friend Austin (a Music Engraver for Hal Leonard with a degree in Music Composition), they were both shocked. They had never seen the modes visualized in this way. I realized I need to share this image (available as a poster and helps with server costs) for people like me that need to see it visualized this way.

Mode Mentor is my way of sharing that clarity with you

The 7 Modes Explained

Why does this matter? Because Modes are moods. By shifting the tonal center of the Major Scale, you unlock seven distinct emotional landscapes.

How to Use Mode Mentor

Mode Mentor is designed to be an interactive reference tool for composers, improvisers, and students. Here is a breakdown of the controls to help you get the most out of your practice session.

1. Relative vs. Parallel (The "Mode" Toggle)

This is the most important switch on the dashboard. It changes how the modes are calculated relationally.

• REL (Relative): Shows modes that share the same notes but start on different Roots.
  Example: If Key is C, Ionian is C, Dorian is D, Phrygian is E. They all use the white keys.
• PAR (Parallel): Shows modes that share the same Root but have different intervals.
  Example: If Key is C, Ionian is C Major, Dorian is C Minor (with flats), Lydian is C Major (#4).
  Use this for: Learning to hear the "mood" change of a specific Root.

2. The Three Views

Use the "View" toggle to change how you visualize the data inside the grid blocks.

• STEP: Displays the physics of the scale—Whole (W) vs Half (H) steps. This is best for memorizing the shape of the mode.
• NOTE: Displays the actual musical notes (e.g., C#, Bb). Useful when you are sitting at your instrument.
• DEGREE: Displays the numeric interval (e.g., ♭3, ♯4). This is critical for understanding Chord construction and why a mode sounds "sad" or "bright."

3. The "Chords" Bar

Below the grid, you will see the 7 diatonic Chords available in your selected mode. Clicking any chord box plays the audio so you can hear the harmony.

+7ths Button: Toggles between simple Triads (3-note chords) and Seventh Chords (4-note chords). This is essential for Jazz and Neo-Soul composition.

Show Palette Button: Reveals a complete library of 34 chords (Sus, Add9, 13ths) for the current key.

4. Modemento Mori (Dark Mode)

Click the Skull (💀) in the header to enter the "Negative Zone." This is not just a visual theme; it is a reminder that structure (White Keys) relies on the void (Black Keys) to exist. Use this mode for late-night sessions or high-contrast visibility.

5. The Binding Force (Theory Tip)

Why does the header say "And to The Circle bind them"? Because the chords in your current key literally bind you to the neighboring keys on the Circle of Fifths.

• The IV & V Rule (Circle of Fifths):
  The IV Chord (Left Neighbor) and V Chord (Right Neighbor) are the Roots of the adjacent keys on the Circle of Fifths.
  But it goes deeper... The ii Chord is the Relative Minor of the Left Neighbor. The iii Chord is the Relative Minor of the Right Neighbor. Your Key contains the DNA of its neighbors.
• The Rule of 3:
  Every Major Key contains exactly 3 Major, 3 Minor, and 1 Diminished chord. If you know this shape, you can navigate any key instantly.
• The Sequential Trio (A-B-C Memory Hook):
  In any Major Key, the last three notes of the scale always follow the same pattern: Relative Minor (vi) → Diminished (vii°) → Root (I).
  In the Key of C Major, this is perfectly alphabetical: A (Minor) → B (Dim) → C (Root).