Modes Explained (Musical Set Theory Simplified)

An informative video explaining modes in Musical Set Theory. 3rd in the Set Theory Simplified series.
What are your thoughts and questions on modes?
Link to my Patreon:
www.patreon.com/JayBeard?fan_... to Scale Sets As Sheet Music:drive.google.com/file/d/1l_Bf...

[@TheUmopepisdn]

I've never encountered an explanation of modes that I understood so well. Thank you.

[@jaybeardmusic8074]

Ah that’s wonderful to hear. Thank you! It seems to be one of the most misunderstood topics and yet quite an important topic. I’m glad to hear you found it helpful!

[@alXmarkW]

Really appreciate this series, thank you! I'm curious about how modes are used differently in music. Is it common to swap between modes the way you'd swap between keys or chords in a song? How would you go about doing this? Or, is the point of a mode rather to have an established root or home tonic which centers a song and justifies its scale? A lot of this information seems interesting to explore, but is also hard to see how it would be used functionally. It would be great to see it applied to some examples in order to see it used more in action. Thanks again!

[@jaybeardmusic8074]

Great questions! There are many ways to use modes. Sometimes we move between modes of the same chord seamlessly like different positions of the same chord. Sometimes using a different mode of a set can give us quite a different effect yet there is some continuity because they share the same set. For example, in Scriabin’s Prometheus, he mostly just uses the mystic set to unify the piece, but explores different modes of the set to vary the harmonic effect.
Discussion of key centers sorta opens up a can of worms. The way I discuss modes here doesn’t need to pertain to key centers.
It’s good to hear feedback that examples of actual application would be helpful. I totally plan on getting into some rich analysis of pieces that use set theory soon, but for now I’m hoping to lay down the foundational concepts so that when I go deep into analysis I can direct people to these videos if they don’t understand something. Thanks for the questions and feedback!

[@curtpiazza1688]

😊

[@jaybeardmusic8074]

@@curtpiazza1688 looks like you’re enjoying the series :) Thanks for the comments!

[@curtpiazza1688]

@@jaybeardmusic8074 😃