Memorizing the Modes

modes-mnemonic

From left to right–

Ionian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Myxolydian
Aeolian
Locrian

modes-in-key-of-c

Ionian is what we think of as theĀ “major scale”. Lydian and Mixolydian also sound like major scales because they have a major third.
Lydian is a sort of “super major” — it sounds extra bright because of the raised 4th (– Jason Allen)
ex. “Theme from the Simpsons”
Mixolydian — flat 7th — blues

Aeolian is the same as the natural minor scale. Dorian and Phrygian also sound minor because they also have a flatted third in the scale.
Dorian — Raised 6th — ex. plainchant; Kyrie by Josquin (– Jason Allen)
Phrygian — Flatted 2nd — which means your first step of the scale is a semitone
Used in flamenco (Spanish & Islamic culture fusion) (– Robert Greenberg)

Locrian is the odd one, off by itself, because it has a flatted fifth (“Tritone”).
Tritone is THE most discordant interval ( — Robert Greenberg)
Used in crazy compositions
ex. Mark Applebaum, see TED talk “The Mad Scientist of Music”