Mode Comparison · Guitar Theory
The most fundamental contrast in all of Western music
Same notes, different starting point. Ionian starts on the 1st degree (happy), Aeolian on the 6th (sad). The ♭3 ♭6 ♭7 in Aeolian are what create the minor character.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
Both Ionian and Aeolian are diatonic modes — they share the same 7 notes as the major scale but start on different scale degrees. Understanding the relationship between all 7 modes is the foundation of the Dead Sea Scales system.
Once you understand how Ionian and Aeolian relate to each other, the next step is the 5 Missing Notes™ system — 5 chromatic notes that generate 35 additional scale variations, giving you 42 total modes to work with.
Switch between Ionian and Aeolian instantly · All 12 keys · Audio playback · All 42 exotic variations
Open Free Interactive Tool →