What is wrong with this?

[FourLetterWords]

The mode determines the chords that go along with it.

If you are playing Lydian in the key of C and want to play a I-IV-V progression, it will be C-F#-G, as opposed to the diatonic C-F-G.

Certain chords will also be affected, as the triads will contain the appropriate sharps and flats. Say you're in Phrygian and you want to play a C chord. I believe this means that the C chord is constructed C-Eb-G, as opposed to the diatonic C-E-G.

[emixolydian]

Uhm, you have a completely wrong understanding of modes, that's all. Modes are irrelevant, anyway.


First off, your terminology is off. "Lydian in the key of C"...If you're in the key of C, which is C major, there is no lydian...you're in the key of C. C lydian and the key of C are completely different.

You wouldn't use a I-IV-V in modal music, because that's a key based progression...

Modal music isn't the same as key based music...Modal music is static, and not harmonious, it relies on melody, not harmony. That's why in a lot of modal stuff you'll get one or two chord drones..

The famous i-IV7, dorian...

Also...if you were playing the "I-IV-V" in lydian the chords would be C-F#dim-G, not that you'd ever use this progression, because It'd just sound like G major.

Anytime you play a progression, it departs and arrives on the tonic. That's why it's a progression, its circular.

Modes...are different. To embellish the sound of the mode you make use of the notes in it, not through chord movement, but through melody. The chords, if any, just add a backbone.

[FourLetterWords]

So could I play a Mixolydian over the top of a C major progression?

Or do I have to use those two chord drones?


I will probably rarely use modes, but I'd still like to understand them, even though most of my music is written in diatonic major.

PS: I bet James doesn't even have A minor pentatonic memorized all the way up the fretboard.

[emixolydian]

No....If you're in C major...you're playing the C major scale, not mixolydian.


Why does it matter if he knows it all the way up the fretboard? All that matters is if he can play or not, and he can play better than you.

You don't have to use two chords drones, you need chords that aren't going to make something sound key based, which usually...is...a drone...

If you wanted to do Mixolydian, I'd go G7-F over...and over...