Modes are a massive topic in music. There are hundreds of videos and articles on how modes work and how to use them. But rarely do you see people explain how to identify them by ear in music, which is a fundamental key to ear training.
There are two main ways modes occur in music.
A song can be in the key of a mode.
For instance, you could have a song in A Mixolydian. In this case, it would be very helpful to identify that mixolydian is being used. It would make transcribing that song MUCH easier.
Modes change with each chord.
Every time a chord changes, the root changes. For example, let's say we are in the G major key, and a G chord is being played. This is the one chord, and our ear will hear it as one. So, every note played on top of this G chord will relate to G.
But then, let's say a C chord is played. The key has not changed, but our ears will perceive C as one while the C is played. Since C is the four-chord, we would hear Lydian since that is the 4th mode of the major key.
Are you confused yet?
If so, don't worry! Watch the video below to see me go into more detail on this.
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