Interactive Modal Harmony Tool

Explore modal harmony, chord relationships, harmonic fields, and greek modes with interactive audio playback. Learn how chords are built inside Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian, Melodic Minor, and Harmonic Minor scales.

Select Root Note

Choose a tonal center to generate modal harmony and harmonic field chords.

C Ionian

Major scale harmony

Intervals: 0 • 2 • 4 • 5 • 7 • 9 • 11
Chord Formula: maj7 • m7 • m7 • maj7 • 7 • m7 • m7b5

C Dorian

Minor with natural 6

Intervals: 0 • 2 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 9 • 10
Chord Formula: m7 • m7 • maj7 • 7 • m7 • m7b5 • maj7

C Phrygian

Dark spanish sound

Intervals: 0 • 1 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 8 • 10
Chord Formula: m7 • maj7 • 7 • m7 • m7b5 • maj7 • m7

C Lydian

Dreamy major sound

Intervals: 0 • 2 • 4 • 6 • 7 • 9 • 11
Chord Formula: maj7 • 7 • m7 • m7b5 • maj7 • m7 • m7

C Mixolydian

Dominant bluesy sound

Intervals: 0 • 2 • 4 • 5 • 7 • 9 • 10
Chord Formula: 7 • m7 • m7b5 • maj7 • m7 • m7 • maj7

C Aeolian

Natural minor harmony

Intervals: 0 • 2 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 8 • 10
Chord Formula: m7 • m7b5 • maj7 • m7 • m7 • maj7 • 7

C Locrian

Diminished unstable harmony

Intervals: 0 • 1 • 3 • 5 • 6 • 8 • 10
Chord Formula: m7b5 • maj7 • m7 • m7 • maj7 • 7 • m7

C Melodic Minor

Minor harmony with major 6 and major 7

Intervals: 0 • 2 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 9 • 11
Chord Formula: mMaj7 • m7 • maj7#5 • 7 • 7 • m7b5 • m7b5

C Harmonic Minor

Dark minor harmony with strong dominant tension

Intervals: 0 • 2 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 8 • 11
Chord Formula: mMaj7 • m7b5 • maj7#5 • m7 • 7 • maj7 • dim7

What Is Modal Harmony?

Modal harmony is the study of chords and harmonic movement derived from musical modes instead of traditional major and minor tonal harmony.

Each mode creates a unique harmonic color, emotional atmosphere, and chord relationship based on its interval structure.

Understanding Harmonic Fields

A harmonic field is the set of chords naturally generated from a scale or mode. These chords are built by stacking thirds on each scale degree.

Modal harmony changes the chord qualities and tonal center perception compared to traditional major scale harmony.

Why Learn Modal Harmony?

  • Improve improvisation vocabulary
  • Understand chord-scale relationships
  • Compose more colorful progressions
  • Develop modal ear training
  • Expand harmonic creativity

Common Modal Sounds

  • Ionian — bright major harmony
  • Dorian — jazzy minor sound
  • Phrygian — dark exotic color
  • Lydian — floating cinematic harmony
  • Mixolydian — blues and dominant feel
  • Aeolian — natural minor harmony
  • Locrian — unstable diminished tension

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between modal harmony and tonal harmony?

Tonal harmony revolves around major and minor keys, while modal harmony focuses on the unique sound and tonal center of each mode.

Can modal harmony help improvisation?

Yes. Understanding modal harmony improves chord targeting, melodic phrasing, and modal improvisation across genres.

Which mode is most common in jazz?

Dorian and Mixolydian are among the most common modes used in jazz improvisation and modal harmony.