Most modern, popular, western music has been largely based on the major and minor scales since the 1600s. Before this, most music was based on the seven traditional modes established by the Greeks. It’s of no coincidence that they are mostly based on geographical regions and ancient kingdoms in Greece. The distinct characteristic, and contributing factor for the traditionally accepted use of musical modes, was the way a certain combination of notes evoked certain emotions. This concept of scales and types of melodies, made the composition of songs simple by giving songwriters a template of archetypes and emotions to work from.

The emotional characteristics of the classic, Greek modes are not set in stone, and have been argued over for ages. Listed below are the modes, the arbitrary emotions they provoke, and a brief audio clip. You, the musician, may find that the feelings each sample stirs up, may be contrary to what’s been noted, and it’s up to you to decide how and where you want to use these modes, if you should.

- Ionian: bright, happy, warm

Ionian Mode C


- Dorian: cool, jazzy

Dorian Mode C


- Phrygian: dark, mysterious

Phrygian Mode C


- Lydian: airy, surreal

Lydian Mode C


- Mixolydian: bluesy, majestic, warm

Mixolydian Mode C


- Aeolian: mournful, solemn

Aeolian Mode C


- Locrian: evil, sinister

Locrian Mode C