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Scale Modes on Piano

Learn the seven diatonic modes and compare how their note patterns differ. Use the C examples below to see, hear and practice each mode.

Compare the Seven Scale Modes

Each row keeps C as the tonic so the seven mode patterns can be compared side by side. The last C repeats the tonic one octave higher.

On a narrow screen, scroll this table horizontally to read every column.

Seven scale modes on C
ModeNotes on CWhole/half-step patternSemitone pattern
IonianC – D – E – F – G – A – B – CW–W–H–W–W–W–H2–2–1–2–2–2–1
DorianC – D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – CW–H–W–W–W–H–W2–1–2–2–2–1–2
PhrygianC – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ – CH–W–W–W–H–W–W1–2–2–2–1–2–2
LydianC – D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – CW–W–W–H–W–W–H2–2–2–1–2–2–1
MixolydianC – D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – CW–W–H–W–W–H–W2–2–1–2–2–1–2
AeolianC – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ – CW–H–W–W–H–W–W2–1–2–2–1–2–2
LocrianC – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – CH–W–W–H–W–W–W1–2–2–1–2–2–2

Explore a Mode

Selected mode

C Ionian

Hand
Right hand
Range
C4-C5 · 1 octave
Demo / print tempo
60 BPM

C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

Direction: Ascending · C4 → C5 · Semitone movement: 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1

Major scale

Major scale

Ascending

Notes only
NotesC4D4E4F4G4A4B4C5

Notes only - fingering is not available for this form, hand, direction and one-octave range.

C4D4E4F4G4A4B4C5

Keyboard

C4 to C5
C4C#4Db4D4D#4Eb4E4F4F#4Gb4G4G#4Ab4A4A#4Bb4B4C5

Sources

Practice task

Check the notes

Select every note used in C Ionian, ascending. This question checks the note set; octave and order do not matter.

Chosen: None

Attempt open · unassisted

Answer reference: C Ionian, ascending - note set

C - D - E - F - G - A - B. Octave and order are not scored in this question.

Answer reference: C Ionian, ascending - right hand

C4 - D4 - E4 - F4 - G4 - A4 - B4 - C5

Single-hand guide

Practice with a pulse

60 BPM

This guide does not listen to your piano. Completion is self-reported. The staff is a pitch reference; the pulse controls timing.

Practice tempo: 60 BPM · 1 octave · Right hand · C4-C5 · 4-beat count-in

PianoGrid

Seven Scale Modes on Piano: C Ionian

View: Right hand · Direction: ascending · Range: one octave

Current scale

C Ionian

Hand
Right hand
Range
C4-C5 · 1 octave
Demo / print tempo
60 BPM

C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

Direction: Ascending · C4 → C5 · Semitone movement: 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1

Ascending

Notes only
NotesC4D4E4F4G4A4B4C5

Notes only - fingering is not available for this form, hand, direction and one-octave range.

C4D4E4F4G4A4B4C5

Keyboard

C4 to C5
C4C#4Db4D4D#4Eb4E4F4F#4Gb4G4G#4Ab4A4A#4Bb4B4C5

Sources

Current selected reference. Notes, staff, keyboard and any finger numbers come from this same view. Missing fingering remains notes-only.

Compare seven modes on C

A mode is more than a new starting label. The seven diatonic modes have different arrangements of whole and half steps. Keeping C as the tonic makes those differences easier to compare: the first and last note stay C while selected notes inside the octave change. The table gives one complete C example for every mode.

How the Modes Differ

Compare C Ionian with C Lydian: F becomes F-sharp. Compare Ionian with Mixolydian: B becomes B-flat. Within the minor group, C Dorian uses A-natural where C Aeolian uses A-flat. C Phrygian also lowers D to D-flat; C Locrian lowers G to G-flat as well. Read each note list before playing so the altered notes remain visible.

Parallel vs. Relative Modes

Parallel examples share C as their tonic. Relative examples share a pitch collection but have different tonal centers. For instance, C Dorian and B-flat major use the same pitch classes. That relationship helps identify notes; it does not establish that a passage is in C Dorian simply because those notes appear.

Hear the Difference

Play C Ionian, then C Lydian. Pause on F and F-sharp and return to C after each example. Next compare the A-flat in C Aeolian with the A-natural in C Dorian. Keep the comparison short and use the note lists as your check.

Continue with a source-backed reference that matches this task.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in each mode on C?

The examples keep C as tonic. C Ionian: C–D–E–F–G–A–B–C; C Dorian: C–D–Eb–F–G–A–Bb–C; C Phrygian: C–Db–Eb–F–G–Ab–Bb–C; C Lydian: C–D–E–F#–G–A–B–C; C Mixolydian: C–D–E–F–G–A–Bb–C; C Aeolian: C–D–Eb–F–G–Ab–Bb–C; C Locrian: C–Db–Eb–F–Gb–Ab–Bb–C. The last C repeats the tonic one octave higher.

Which scale degrees change?

Compared with major (Ionian), Dorian lowers 3 and 7; Phrygian lowers 2, 3, 6 and 7; Lydian raises 4; Mixolydian lowers 7; Aeolian lowers 3, 6 and 7; Locrian lowers 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. These are comparisons to the same tonic, not to each mode’s relative major.

How are parallel modes different from relative modes?

Parallel examples share C as their tonic. Relative examples share a pitch collection but have different tonal centers. For instance, C Dorian and B-flat major use the same pitch classes. That relationship helps identify notes; it does not establish that a passage is in C Dorian simply because those notes appear.

Which example can I compare next?

Play C Ionian, then C Lydian. Pause on F and F-sharp and return to C after each example. Next compare the A-flat in C Aeolian with the A-natural in C Dorian. Keep the comparison short and use the note lists as your check.

Sources

References for the mode notes, interval patterns and C examples on this page.