Introduction to Modes for Hammered Dulcimer: Dorian and Aeolian

Dorian and Aeolian

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DORIAN -- Wild but Bright

Exercise 5: Find the marked D on the right treble bridge. Play a D Ionian scale, then a D Mixolydian scale. Then, find the D on the bass bridge that is one above a mark. If you play a box-shape there, you get the D Dorian scale. To me, Dorian sounds somewhat minor; wild with a hint of brightness.

The three scales in Exercise 5 share the same key note, D, but D Ionian has two sharps, D Mixolydian has one, and D Dorian has none. Dorian mode has the following pattern of half and whole steps: WHW W WHW. Compared to Ionian, Dorian has a flatted seventh, like Mixolydian, and also a flatted third.

G Dorian: G A Bb C D E F G
A Dorian: A B C D E F# G A
E Dorian: E F# G A B C# D E
B Dorian: B C# D E F# G# A B

D Dorian, G Mixolydian, and C Ionian share the same key signature. The Dorian scale begins on the second note of the relative major.

Shape: Box
Starts on: One above a marked course
Steps: WHW W WHW
Key Note: Second note of the related major scale
Examples: Swallowtail Jig, Road to Lisdoonvarna, Fingal‘s Cave, Morrison’s Jig, Arran Boat, Star of Munster

AEOLIAN -- The Minor Mode You Already Know

Exercise 6: If you have a 15/14 or larger, find the marked A on the right treble bridge. First, play an Ionian scale, then an A Mixolydian scale. If your dulcimer is smaller than a 15/14, skip those two scales. Now, find the A on the bass bridge that is one above a mark. First play the box-shaped A Dorian scale, then a vertical pattern beginning in the same place; that's A Aeolian.

The four scales in Exercise 6 share the same key note, A, but A Ionian has three sharps, A Mixolydian has two sharps, A Dorian has one, and A Aeolian has none. Aeolian mode has the following pattern of half and whole steps: WHW WHW W. Compared to Ionian, Aeolian has a flatted seventh, like Mixolydian, a flatted third, like Dorian, and also a flatted sixth.

D Aeolian: D E F G A Bb C D
E Aeolian: E F# G A B C D E
B Aeolian: B C# D E F# G A B
F# Aeolian: F# G# A B C# D E

A Aeolian, D Dorian, G Mixolydian, and C Ionian share the same key signature. The Aeolian scale is the relative minor; it begins on the sixth note of the relative major.

Shape: Vertical
Starts on: One above a marked course
Steps: WHW WHW W
Key Note: Sixth note of the related major scale
Examples: Carolan’s Welcome, Rights of Man, St. Basil’s Hymn, Star of the County Down

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