Modes of the Minor Scales

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Chapter 4 · Lesson 06

In short

The same trick as with the modes of the major scale works on the harmonic and melodic minor: seven modes each. Most are rarely heard. Here we stay with the six that actually get used, and two of them you already know as dromoi.

Lesson Notes

01From the harmonic minor

The harmonic minor has its characteristic augmented second between the 6th and 7th degree. Any mode of it that starts near that leap inherits it, and that is what makes them sound "eastern".

Phrygian dominant starts from the 5th degree: from C, C D♭ E F G A♭ B♭. It is the Phrygian with a major third, and note for note it is hijaz. Dorian ♯4 starts from the 4th degree: C D E♭ F♯ G A B♭, the Dorian with a raised 4th, which is nikriz in its basic form.

C Phrygian dominant: the augmented second between the 2nd and 3rd

The leap D♭ to E is the harmonic minor's augmented second, moved to the start of the scale. That is why this mode is hijaz.

02From the melodic minor

The melodic minor (in its ascending form) is a major scale with a lowered 3rd and no leaps. Its modes resemble the modes of the major scale with one note changed, and that note is their colour.

Lydian dominant (4th degree): C D E F♯ G A B♭, the Mixolydian with a raised 4th. Mixolydian ♭6 (5th degree): C D E F G A♭ B♭, major at the start, minor at the end. Locrian ♮2 (6th degree): C D E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭, the Locrian with a natural 2nd, which fits over half-diminished chords. And the altered scale (7th degree): C D♭ E♭ F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭, where every degree except the tonic is altered, hence the name. It is played over tense dominant chords, just before the resolution.

The six modes that get used

ModeFromFrom C · same as

Phrygian dominantharmonic, 5thC D♭ E F G A♭ B♭ · hijaz

Dorian ♯4harmonic, 4thC D E♭ F♯ G A B♭ · nikriz

Lydian dominantmelodic, 4thC D E F♯ G A B♭

Mixolydian ♭6melodic, 5thC D E F G A♭ B♭

Locrian ♮2melodic, 6thC D E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭

Alteredmelodic, 7thC D♭ E♭ F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭

All six are on the Scales tab of the 4-course and 3-course pages, in the family "Modes of the minor scales".

Recap

The harmonic and the melodic minor have seven modes each, like the major scale.
From the harmonic: Phrygian dominant (= hijaz) and Dorian ♯4 (= nikriz), both with the augmented second.
From the melodic: Lydian dominant, Mixolydian ♭6, Locrian ♮2 and the altered scale.
The other eight exist, but you will rarely need them.