Mode & Position

Mode

A new arrangement of notes (scale) with any degree on the diatonic scale as its root is called a mode. Many melodies are woven together to more or less conform to these modes, and take on characteristics and atmosphere unique to that mode.
The seven modes are explained below in order of the degrees on the diatonic scale.
An interval is the difference in pitch between adjacent notes, expressed in semitones. In the following parentheses show the sequence for the key of C as an example.

1. Ionian

   Interval

   2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 (C, D, E, F, G, A, B)

   Characteristics

   Major

   Atmosphere

   It’s bright and has a major scale, making it very suitable for melodies and chords.

   Song examples

   “Let It Be”, “Mozart Piano Sonata No.16”

2. Dorian

   Interval

   2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2 (D, E, F, G, A, B, C)

   Characteristics

   Minor

   Atmosphere

   It is a minor scale of a major sixth, melancholic but slightly bright, and is used in much Celtic and Irish music.

   Song examples

   “Scarborough Fair”, “Eleanor Rigby”

3. Phrygian

   Interval

   1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2 (E, F, G, A, B, C, D)

   Characteristics

   Minor

   Atmosphere

   It contains a minor second and is dark, ambiguous and mysterious, and is also known as the Spanish Gypsy scale.

   Song examples

   “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2”

4. Lydian

   Interval

   2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1 (F, G, A, B, C, D, E)

   Characteristics

   Major

   Atmosphere

   It contains augmented triads and is widely used in jazz for its sinuous, directionless feel.

   Song examples

   “The Simpsons Theme”

5. Mixolydian

   Interval

   2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 (G, A, B, C, D, E, F)

   Characteristics

   Major

   Atmosphere

   It functions as a blues scale containing a minor seventh and is heard throughout blues, rock, blues, jazz, funk, and more.

   Song examples

   “Norwegian Wood,” “Josie,” and “All Blues”

6. Aeolian

   Interval

   2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2 (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)

   Characteristics

   Minor

   Atmosphere

   It functions as a natural minor scale and is suitable for songs in minor keys.

   Song examples

   “All Along the Watchtower”

7. Locrian

   Interval

   1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2 (B, C, D, E, F, G, A)

   Characteristics

   Minor

   Atmosphere

   It has an unstable dissonant scale structure that includes diminished triads.

   Song examples

   “Army of Me”

This is just an overview. For more details, please refer to a book on music theory.

Position

The note name produced by blowing into the hole 1 of a 10-hole harmonica is called the label key (or simply the key).
Positions are mode assignments for playing the harmonica assuming a root note different from the label key. When combined with bending techniques, you can play scales in keys other than the label key. For example, a harmonica with a label key of “C” can be played in the key of “G” by assigning it to the second position.

The first position is a mode assignment in which the label key is used as the root note. Each time the ordinal number of the position increases by one, a mode is assigned in which the root note is the note name of the interval a fifth higher.
Selecting a position not only changes the playing key, but also makes it easier to play music that suits the characteristics of the mode assigned to that position.

The position ordinal numbers and the corresponding modes are as follows:

• First
  Ionian
• Second
  Mixolydian
• Third
  Dorian
• 4th
  Aeolian
• 5th
  Phrygian
• 6th
  Locrian
• 12th
  Lydian

Note: Positions 7-11 are not typically used because their root notes are not in the major scale.

The root notes for each position in the keys from G to F# are as shown in the table below, starting from the first position.