Modes of the major scale and minor scale types explained

>Hi andy, my name is J., i'm from --------... i took one lesson from you over
>a year ago but unfortunately could not continue due to financial reasons...
>hopefully there will be more in the future... anyway.. i was just wondering
>if you could help clear something up for me.. it pertains to modes...and i
>know how much you love them...lol
>
>what is the difference between major and minor modes?
>
>arent all modes (ionian, dorian, phryigian, aeolian, lydian, etc) just
>variations of the major scale, making them MAJOR MODES. If i begin with
>ionian on C and proceed to play dorian on D, phyrigian on E, and so forth...
>i will have played thru all the notes in the key of C major...correct??
>
>however, would the "key of A minor" be the key of "C major" simply because
>they are relative?
>
>or are there an entirely different set of modes for playing in a minor
>key...?
>
>and where do harmonic and melodic minor scales come into play? would these
>be considered modes of the minor scale... or major.... and can you replace
>the 6th degree mode (aeolian) with a harmonic minor scale... or would this
>not fit as affectively as the natural minor
>

Hi J.,
Your thinking is on the right track. The major scale is also the Ionian mode,
and its relative minor is the Aeolian mode (starting on the sixth degree of its
relative major). A major and its relative minor share the same key signature so
yes, C major and A minor share a key signature, like F major and D minor, Bb
major and G minor, etc.
Harmonic minor is an alteration of the natural minor (Aeolian mode) which raises
the 7th degree to create a leading tone one half step below tonic (root). This
alteration make the V chord a dominant chord (major triad + minor seventh)
instead of a minor seventh chord. It's a stronger chord and makes for stronger
harmonic motion. It's all over 18th century writing (J. S. Bach, etc.) and is
still maybe more common than natural minor. Melodic minor, with its raised 6th
and 7th when ascending, takes this idea a little further. The alterations show
up in written music as accidentals (sharps or naturals not indicated in the key
signature).
Hope this helps,
Andy

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