Modes and chord progression

[Madrayken]

It seems that modes might clash with what I've learned about chord progressions (major and minor). Do the old favourites (V-I etc) still count in, say, Dorian, or once you've varied from Ionian/Aeolian are you all on your own? Or do you merely care about whether your chosen mode is major/minor and then go on as usual with what you've learned about those two?

Thanks for the patience!

[C00kie]

Whatever works and doesn't sound dissonant

[Madrayken]

G***amnit, I want a 'right answer'.

Indeed, this is my first instinct, but I *do* want to try and make my work a little more 'correct'. If I'm doing something odd when I try I'd like to know how I'm breaking the rules rather than be ignorant.

[nuffink]

Progressions in modes is a common theme.

Tonal theory is based around the idea that certain progressions are stronger functionally than others. Whether this is anything more than a cultural construct is open to debate but, whatever, we are conditioned to expect certain chords to follow each other.

If you play in a modal context (i.e. you treat a mode as a scale and use it for chords and melody) the expected progressions are largely unavailable. For instance the definitive tonal progression, the V(7)-I, only occurs in the prime mode of the major scale - the Ionian.

In dorian the closest is Vmin(7)-i
in phrygian, Vmin(7b5)-i
in lydian, Vmaj(7)-I
in mixolydian Vmin(7)-I
in aolian Vmin(7)-i
in locrian there is no V, you could use bVmaj7-i

These may work as progressions but they don't have the function of a V(7)-I

This lack of functioning harmony is said by some to be why modal music fell out of fashion to be replaced by a tonal system based upon the Major and the Melodic and Harmonic Minor scales which both allow for a V(7)-i progression.

The bottom line is that if you want to use modes as a chordal resource you end up with a severely limited range of functioning progressions.

There is another, much more fruitful, use of modes. They can be used as chord scales.
But that's another story.

[Madrayken]

Fantastic. Clears that up nicely. Thanks!

[musikjock]

The only time I'm ever coherently using modes is with improvisation. it provides a backbone for where i can go and also offers great 'hit-points'. for example, in a progression such as G Am D , you could add a lead that utilizes(assuming key of G)the ionian when the G chord is played..and run that into an 'A' note as you hit the Am chord, instead now change your playing to the mannerisms of the Dorian mode..and the D chord to Mixylodian etc.. this gives you a bit of an opportunity to livin' up your leads.

All that mixed with some arpeggiating can take you a long ways.