The Young Composer

Meet the great composers, learn music theory, and start composing your own music — free interactive tools for young musicians.
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Cover of The Seven Modes
Wall Chart

The Seven Modes

The seven modes of the major scale, all built on the same starting note, as a wall chart — with a brightest-to-darkest comparison.

A3 · 1 page · 421 KB ⤢ View ⬇ Download PDF

What's inside

  • All seven modes built on C, each with its degree in the parent major key, notes, and character
  • A brightest-to-darkest bar comparison ranking all seven modes
  • How to find a mode quickly, hold the tonic down with a drone, and aim at each mode's tell-tale note
modesdorianmixolydianscalesharmonywall-chart

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✧ Prefer it interactive? The Scale Explorer covers the same ground on screen — open the tool →

Looking for step-by-step lessons instead? Head to Music Theory. Want composing ideas? Try Composing.