8,720
edits
Changes
m
→Common Modes
So if we used the scale of notes from the key of C Major, the Ionian mode uses C as the tonic. C Ionian is the same as our normal C Major key. Aeolian uses A as the tonic, which is the same as A natural minor. The others we are less familiar with. But starting on D would be Dorian, E Phrygian, F Lydian, G Mixolydian, and B Locrian.
Notice how as the modes progress from I to VII, the whole-half patterns and interval chart seems to move diagonally from top right to bottom left. Yet if you simply look at the interval chart from line to line, the changes seem fairly random. Once they are arranged in fifths, however, they become more ordered.
Here's some more tables for reference to wrap your head around this.