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Jazz, Pop, Prog, and the Modes: A Musicological Analysis

  • I love modes and through some tragedy was not exposed to George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept in music school. When I started reading this text I was delighted by the concept of tonal gravity. It is intuitive in the way that stacked fifths ascend and all the partials dance around in that context, leaving your ears and brain to figure out.

  • Modes are melodic scales that create unique sonic landscapes. Analyzing their suitability for various musical genres requires understanding the characteristic sounds and theoretical underpinnings of each genre. Here's a breakdown of the suitability of different modes in jazz, pop, prog, and progressive forms of these genres:

Mode Usage in Different Genres Dorian (♭3, ♯6) 
Jazz: High usage
    Example: "So What" by Miles Davis
Pop: Moderate usage
Prog: Moderate usage
Prog-Rock/Metal: High usage
    Example: "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd (sections)

Phrygian (♭2, ♭3, ♯6)

Jazz: Moderate usage
    Example: "Spain" by Chick Corea
Pop: Low usage
Prog: High usage
Prog-Rock/Metal: High usage
    Example: "The Count of Tuscany" by Dream Theater

Lydian (♭7, ♯4, ♯6)

Jazz: Moderate usage
Pop: High usage
    Example: "Africa" by Toto (chorus)
Prog: High usage
    Example: "Riders on the Storm" by The Doors (intro)
Prog-Rock/Metal: Moderate usage

Mixolydian (♭7, ♭6)

Jazz: High usage
    Example: "All Blues" by Miles Davis
Pop: Moderate usage
Prog: Moderate usage
Prog-Rock/Metal: High usage
    Example: "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen (solo sections)

Aeolian (Natural Minor)

Jazz: Moderate usage
Pop: High usage
    Example: "Yesterday" by The Beatles
Prog: Moderate usage
    Example: "Hotel California" by Eagles (sections)
Prog-Rock/Metal: Moderate usage

Locrian (♭2, ♭3, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7)

Jazz: Low usage (rarely used due to its dissonant nature)
Pop: Low usage
Prog: High usage
Prog-Rock/Metal: High usage
    Example: "Raining Blood" by Slayer
Further Analysis 
Jazz: Heavily utilizes Dorian, Phrygian, and Mixolydian modes for their improvisational freedom and bluesy character.
Pop: Often leans towards major and minor keys for accessibility, but Lydian and Aeolian modes find use for their bright and melancholic qualities, respectively.
Prog: Actively utilizes modes due to their complex and unconventional sounds. Phrygian, Locrian, and even Dorian find application here.
Prog-Rock/Metal: Extends the boundaries of traditional prog, incorporating even more dissonant modes like Locrian.

Note: These are generalizations, and exceptions exist. Artists constantly push boundaries.

More Examples 
The iconic "So What" by Miles Davis is built on the Dorian mode, creating a relaxed and bluesy feel. The major 6th adds lift.