From left to right–
Ionian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Myxolydian
Aeolian
Locrian
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”