Scale Modes to Deepen the Mood of Your Song

Knowing different scales is an important way to add strength and depth to your music. Not all songs are happy and upbeat, and many producers and songwriters use scale modes to give their songs a larger emotional depth. 

The modes we will be looking into today are the Dorian, Mixolydian, Mixolydian Flat-6, and Phrygian.

Dorian

This scale mode is prevalent in jazz, R&B, and pop music. It’s most common use is in jazz and blues improvisations. Dorian starts on the second scale degree, and is the second mode on the major scale. The Dorian scale has a minor third and flat seventh. The sixth scale remains in the major key, and creates a tritone interval in between the minor third and major sixth.

Dorian mode is often used in place of a minor scale, where you still want the emotions of the minor scale without it feeling too dark.

Here are some famous songs that use the Dorian mode:

1. Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles

2. Scarborough Fair - Simon and Garfunkel

3. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix

Mixolydian

This scale mode is common in rock, blues, and jazz music, and now has an important place in more modern pop songs. It is the fifth mode on the major scale. It’s known for its flat seventh note that creates a tension with the rest of the major scale.

Here are some famous songs that use Mixolydian mode:

1. Clocks - Coldplay

2. Express Yourself - Madonna

3. Royals - Lorde

Mixolydian Flat-6

This mode is not as commonly used in pop songs as the other modes, but there are pop songs with traces of this mode. Mixolydian flat-6 is the sixth mode of the melodic minor scale. It has a flat fifth and sixth, and is a common improvised scale.

Here are some famous songs that use Mixolydian Flat-6 mode:

1. Single Ladies - Beyoncé

2. Creep - Radiohead

3. Buddy Holly - Weezer

Phrygian

This is a minor scale mode that is not commonly used, but has some influences in jazz and pop songs. It has sharps on the second, third, sixth, and seventh notes. It also features a minor third (like in other minor scales) and a b7. This mode is also commonly used in Spanish and Indian classical music.

Here are some famous songs that use Phrygian mode:

1. Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All - Lord of the Rings

2. Space Oddity - David Bowie

3. I Care - Beyoncé

Conclusion

The scale modes listed are unique ways to give your song some further depth and emotion, and you can compose your music using one, or a combination of different modes and scales. It’s also a good idea to listen to other songs with the scale mode you want to use in order to gain inspiration, and advice on how to use it well. 

If you need any extra help producing or creating your own music, contact us here. We look forward to adding massive value to your music.

So which scale mode do you like the best? Let us know!

- By Julianna Martinek

Everything You Need to Know About Songwriting

Today the music world has no rules.

Artists have the freedom to create and mix any form of music they can imagine. Music has reached the point where artists have the independence to create new categories of music by mixing rhythms and genres.

However, creating music still comes with its stages, dos and don'ts. In order to make good music that people will enjoy listening to, you still need to follow stages of music production that have been perfected over the years by professionals.

Like a chef in the kitchen, just because you have unlimited ingredients and tools to play with does not mean you should. There are some things when you mix and match that just don’t taste good.

On that note, check out Jony Studios’ mixing and mastering services that will help you elevate your sound and bring your song to life!

When it comes to creating good music, the first step is always songwriting.

WHAT IS SONGWRITING?

Songwriting like the word suggests means writing a song. It is the process of musical ideas coming together to form a melody that is harmonious and rhythmic.

The finished product results in a beginning, middle and end.

WHAT IS A GOOD SONG?

Although this is highly debatable and subjective, a good song usually has all the elements: melody, harmony, rhythm, beginning, middle, and end.

In terms of lyrics, a good song has both the lyrics and music working together and supporting each other. It is important for the lyrics to sound musical while singing to develop a pleasant sounding, successful song.

Repetition in a song is also very integral in order to get the listener used to the chord progression before transitioning to the next section. The motive behind any song is to always get the listener to tap their foot with the groove regardless of there being drums in the song.

HOW TO WRITE A SONG?

Each writer and musician has a different way of songwriting. 

Some tend to use the tracking process to write a song. They start with a drum loop and go on from there. As they progress along, new ideas form until a finished song is created.

Some sit with their guitars and take notes to sketch out a tune that results in a song.

And so on..

However, no matter the method, the criteria for examining the quality of the song in terms of its lyrics and music should always be the same. Are the melody and harmony catchy? Do the chords capture the attention of the listeners? Does it groove?

Conclusion

Want your music to sound up to the industry's golden standards? Jony Studios’ offers music production services that will help you elevate your sound and bring your song to life!

Contact us here to get started.

Which songwriting method do you use? Let us know below in the comments!

- By Neha Agarwala

---

Curious about the other stages of music production?

Check out these blogs to learn more:

Arranging

Tracking

Editing

Mixing and Mastering