How to Write in 2 Modes Simultaneously • Music Theory from The Brooks "Pain & Bliss"

 

How to Write a Bass Line and Guitar Riff in 2 Modes Simultaneously.

 

 

Free PDF Tutorial
includes multitrack MIDI file

 

If the link above does not work, paste this into your browser:
https://hackmusictheory.com/album/2530724/2-mode-bass

 

 

 

 

 

Intro.

 

Humans are walking paradoxes! You know those times when you’re feeling two contradicting emotions at the same time? Like when you’re in a difficult situation but you feel hopeful about the future, while simultaneously doubting your own optimism. How on earth would you reflect those contradicting feelings in music?

 

As we cover in our Songwriting & Producing PDF, each mode conveys a general emotion. Feeling optimistic in a difficult situation would be well represented by the Dorian mode, which is the natural minor scale* with a major 6th (i.e. the cloud’s silver lining). Cancelling out that optimism with doubt would revert back to the natural minor scale, where the cloud doesn’t have a silver lining.

 

So you may be thinking now that it can’t be too difficult to write something using the Dorian mode then switch to the Aeolian mode. And you’re right, that’s not difficult. However, using one mode first and then moving into the other one, does not reflect the paradox of feeling both of the contradicting emotions simultaneously.

 

But you can’t use two modes at the same time, can you? Yes my friend, yes you can!

 

This is where things get juicy. Are you ready? Right, so in the title-track of their album “Pain & Bliss”, The Brooks play in both the Dorian and Aeolian modes at the same time. The guitar plays in Dorian while the bass simultaneously plays in Aeolian. It’s awesome! So, inspired by this great song, here’s our 6-step method for writing music in two modes that will be played at the same time. But first… Tea!

 

 

*Natural minor scale is another name for the Aeolian mode.

 

 

 

Step 1. Bass Rhythm

 

Firstly, the title of this tutorial is technically a misnomer, as the bass doesn’t play in both modes, it sticks to one mode (Aeolian) while the guitar plays the other (Dorian). This is the only way for the listener to hear two modes at the same time!

 

If the bass played in both modes, it would have to switch back and forth between them. As mentioned above, this is easy to do: just write half the bass line in Dorian, and the other half in Aeolian. But, this results in a linear experience for the listener, as they feel one emotion first and then the other emotion afterwards. That does not create the contradicti