To get your ears oriented to the sound of a few modes, listen to these examples
John Roberts and Tony Barrand sing the traditional English folk song The Handsome Cabin Boy in Ionian mode.
Jerry Garcia and David Grisman perform the the traditional English folk song The Handsome Cabin Boy in Dorian mode
It's the same song. Or at least the same story in the lyrics. However, the mood..... the mode.... of the two versions is very different.
The John Roberts and Tony Barrand version in Ionian mode is bright and happy. The Jerry Garcia and David Grisman version is dark and sad. Both versions are correct and true to the tradition of the song.
Listening to these two versions of the same song - that is putting the same composition in two different modes - should help you understand the power of the modes. Mastering the modes gives a player or composer a tool to move listeners from one emotional place to another. It's well worth your time to learn the modes and how to use them!
The John Roberts and Tony Barrand version in Ionian mode is bright and happy. The Jerry Garcia and David Grisman version is dark and sad. Both versions are correct and true to the tradition of the song.
Listening to these two versions of the same song - that is putting the same composition in two different modes - should help you understand the power of the modes. Mastering the modes gives a player or composer a tool to move listeners from one emotional place to another. It's well worth your time to learn the modes and how to use them!