The Essence of Modes – Part 3
June 9, 2022
Some days ago I wrote about my long-lasting love affair with Phrygian mode.
Another great mode is Dorian.
Phrygian scale has a strong melancholic mood. Dorian scale is a minor scale too (lowered 3rd), but it has a raised 6th note as opposed to a natural (Aeolian) minor scale. That sharpened 6th note is “borrowed” from a major scale. That note brings to Dorian scale a subtle nuance of a major scale, without altering its substance into a major scale.
That’s why Dorian is a wonderful scale. I play it a lot. I like the sound of it so much more than the sound of a natural minor scale (Aeolian).
Phrygian scale is very expressive in creating a melancholic mood.
Dorian scale creates a more open atmosphere.
Dorian is a major possibility of opening the minor, without leaving the minor.
As an example of Dorian, you can listen to Part 013 in my series 3-minute improvisations on guitar.
Part 013 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_ZSZ0C3hjdA
Another example: Bogdo Ula – Olympic Green.
Olympic Green on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s20r4Cru8_s
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