"In A Mode Mood," part 2

First we'll do a brief review from part 1 of my Modes lesson.
(If you wish, you can re-read all of Part 1 here and then come back to this page for part 2.)

The Aeolian mode is also known as the natural minor scale, and is what is typically used for minor key songwriting.
The Dorian mode differs from Aeolian by only one note: the 6th note of Dorian is a half-step higher than the 6th of Aeolian.
(In Part 1 you will find scale charts and tablatures to illustrate the modes.)

Now, finally,
What to do with them!
As a solo-ist, how do you know when to use Aeolian, and when to use Dorian?

For each mode, there is a signature chord progression:
a certain combination of chords that is frequently used by songwriters and composers to create the sound of the mode. Learn to recognize the different combinations, and you are well on your way to becoming a mode expert.

For A Aeolian:

1. The key chord is A minor or A minor7.
2. The second chord is F or F major7.

Set up a rhythm with these two chords alternating, and try improvising with the A Aeolian mode over both chords. If you get something that sounds like Stairway To Heaven, All Along The Watchtower, Crazy On You, or a zillion other classic rock songs, you've got it!

In general, the Aeolian sound can be created by playing:
1. Minor (or minor7) chord on the desired keynote, then
2. Major (or major7) chord two whole steps down.
3. Improvise with the Aeolian mode scale form, positioned so the keynote has the same name as the root of the first chord.

Here's a combination of bar chord forms that will allow you to produce this "signature" Aeolian chord progression in any key:

Now, for A Dorian:

1. The key chord is A minor or A minor7.
2. The second chord is D, D7 or D9.

Set up a rhythm with these two chords alternating, and try improvising with the A Dorian mode over both chords. If you get something that sounds like Evil Ways or Oye Como Va, you've got it!

In general, the Dorian sound can be created by playing:
1. Minor (or minor7) chord on the desired keynote, then
2. Major (or 7 or 9) chord up a fourth from the first chord.
3. Improvise with the Dorian mode scale form, positioned so the keynote has the same name as the root of the first chord.

Here's a combination of bar chord forms that will allow you to produce this "signature" Dorian chord progression in any key:

As I admitted in the previous installment, I have intentionally left many questions unanswered, and many important bits of knowledge not yet explained, but that shouldn't stop you from putting your hands into these scales and chords and trying them out! You can be practicing the material here at the same time you continue to seek more knowledge about the modes.
And let's not make more of it than it is:

A songwriter wants to have a little variation on his key of A minor, so he adds a D major chord, and makes the corresponding one-note adjustment to the scale. The result is called A Dorian, and quite simply, sounds like a subtle but great sounding variation on the key of A minor.

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