1. Minor
1.1. Natural
1.1.1. Church mode known as Aeolian
1.1.2. The tonic (starting note) is on the 6th scale degree of the major scale with the same key signature. Alternatively, it is three half steps down from the tonic of the major scale.
1.1.3. W H W W H W W
1.1.4. Half steps between 2-3 and 5-6
1.1.5. Example: A minor A B C D E F G A
1.2. Harmonic
1.2.1. Natural Minor with the 7th scale degree raised a half step
1.2.2. Example: A harmonic minor A B C D E F G# A
1.3. Melodic
1.3.1. Natural Minor with both the 6th and 7th scale degrees raised a half step when ascending, but lowered back to the natural form when descending
1.3.2. Example: A melodic minor Ascending- A B C D E F# G# A Descending- A G F E D C B A
2. Major
2.1. Church mode known as Ionian
2.2. W W H W W W H
2.3. Half steps between 3-4 and 7-8
2.4. Example: C Major C D E F G A B C
3. Pentatonic
3.1. Six note scale (including the octave)
3.2. Major Scale ommitting the 4th and 7th scale degrees
3.3. Example: C D E G A C
3.4. Any member of the scale may serve as the tonic, thus five modes are possible for each scale
4. Whole Tone
4.1. Seven note scale (including the octave)
4.2. Each pitch is a whole step apart
4.3. Raised 4th, 5th, and 6th and no 7th
4.3.1. 1-2-3-#4-#5-#6
4.4. Example: C D E F# G# A# C
4.4.1. Enharmonically: C D E Gb Ab Bb C
5. Diminished
5.1. Also known as the Octatonic Scale
5.2. Nine note scale (including the octave)
5.3. This scale is distinguised by alternating whole-step with half-step intervals
5.3.1. W H W H W H W H
5.3.2. H W H W H W H W
5.4. In relationship to the major scale: 1-2-b3-4-b5-b6-6-7
5.5. Example: C D Eb F Gb Ab A B C
6. Blues
6.1. Seven note scale (including the octave)
6.2. Does not have a 2nd or 6th scale degree but includes the flatted fifth (or sharped 4th) and the fifth. Additionally, the 3rd and 7th are lowered a half step.
6.2.1. In relationship to major scale: 1-b3-4-b5-5-b7
6.2.2. Alternate way to look at it: 1-b3-4-#4-5-b7
6.3. Example: C Eb F Gb G Bb C
7. Church Modes
7.1. Dorian
7.1.1. Natural Minor with a raised 6th
7.1.2. Starts on 2nd scale degree of the major scale it shares a key signature with
7.1.3. Resolves down one scale degree to the tonal center
7.1.4. Example: D E F G A B C D
7.2. Phrygian
7.2.1. Natural Minor with a lowered 2nd
7.2.2. Starts on the 3rd scale degree of the major scale it shares a key signature with
7.2.3. Resolves down two scale degrees to the tonal center
7.2.4. Example: E F G A B C D E
7.3. Lydian
7.3.1. Major with a raised 4th
7.3.2. Starts on the 4th scale degree of the major scale it shares a key signature with
7.3.3. Resolves down three scale degrees to the tonal center
7.3.4. Example: F G A B C D E F
7.4. Mixolydian
7.4.1. Major with a lowered 7th
7.4.2. Starts on the 5th scale degree of the major scale it shares a key signature with
7.4.3. Example: G A B C D E F G
7.5. Locrian
7.5.1. Natural Minor with a lowered 2nd and 5th
7.5.2. Starts on the 7th scale degree of the major scale it shares a key signature with
7.5.3. Resolves up a half step to the tonal center
7.5.4. Example: B C D E F G A B