The Music Modes Course

Celebrity Masterclass by Mick Donnelly, who this week performed with Simply Red and Lisa Stansfield

The music modes originated with the church modes. If you considered all the white notes on the piano then a scale from C-C (now known as the Major Scale) was called “Ionian”, D-D was Dorian, E-E Phrygian, F-F Lydian, G-G Mixolydian, A-A Aeolian (now known as the “Natural minor scale” and B-B Locrian. For more information on The Dorian Mode visit this article: The-Dorian-Mode.

So why is this music modes course special? What’s in it? Why not another site or course to learn pieces that use music modes and how to improvise on music modes?

(1) the music modes course includes material by the awesome Mick Donnelly. I deliberately asked Mick, although a saxophonist, to create courses because pianists rarely understand melody in the way that solo instrumentalists do. The way they think is different. Mick has played with an incredible list of A Listers from Whitney Houston to Simply Red, Shirley Bassey to Britney Spears… The list is endless.

(2) Mick takes a jazz style improvisation music modes approach.

(3) Rock-Pop music mode songs are then used in the course that incorporate songs by incredible names:

1. Crazy (Aerosmith)

2. Scarborough Fair (trad. & Simon & Garfunkel)

3. Thriller (Michael Jackson)

4. I Wish (Stevie Wonder)

5. Doo Wop That Thing (Lauryn Hill)

6. I Care (Beyonce)

7. A Place for My Head (Linkin Park)

8. Simpsons (Danny Elfman)

9. Man on the Moon (REM)

10. Human Nature (Michael Jackson)

11. Sweet Child of Mine (Guns ‘n Roses)

(4) Practice techniques (Major and music modes) – there are a huge range of practice methods in this course. Mick even makes the Major scale sound the most beautiful melody on earth!

(5) Improvisation techniques – via analysis of exclusive Mick D solos for The Maestro Online we tackle lick evolution, intervallic licks, turns and grace notes, rhythmic innovation and variety.

(6) Tasks for different music modes that help you utilise their most significant qualities.

Tempted to explore music modes in this rewarding, improvisatory way? Explore the Music Course Library and Celebrity Masterclasses. All courses are inclusive in your membership and you can request bespoke courses too. Monthly membership is only £20 GBP (around $26 USD), the first month is currently free and you can cancel at any time. Free zoom support is currently included.

Visit Celebrity Music Masterclasses page for full details. Subscribe today and access ALL courses in the entire library!