You can click your mouse to play, but using your keyboard are faster. From here, you can see how any one scale degree change impact the overall harmonic feel of that mode across seven parallel modes derived from same tonic. You can access it via the interactive mode wheel.
Use the ‘Tonic’ selector at the top left to select your root note. It will then display all the modes that is available in the key you have chosen. You’ll find a Master volume slider next to this which controls the overall volume. Dragging the handle will update the value so you can keep an acceptable level for your hearing.
How to Use the Mode Wheel Tool
Below the controls is the row of seven buttons representing the seven modes. Pressing on one change to the next mode, adjusting both the sound and the visual prism. A darker background shows you at all times which color you are listening to.
Each mode also has its own characteristic interval which give each mode its character. Seven diamond shapes inside the main prism will play their corresponding scale degree when tapped. A pure tone is played with the selected degree illuminated on current mode. The centre hexagon displays both the mode name and the degree that has been selected. Here is where you can mainly trigger the note you wish to hear.
Adjusting the pitch of any given degree is done through the Degree morph slider in the right panel. By dragging to the left, this will flatten the note, and dragging to the right will sharpen it. This lets you move one interval at a time to blend between modes different than others.
The Signature beam button highlights what makes each mode unique by playing the characteristic interval that resolve into its target note. Parallel: The Parallel spectrum grid shows you which mode is currently being displayed compared with the one chosen from the Beam B dropdown. You can click on any of the cells on the grid to play back that degree in both modes back-to-back so you easily hear the slight differences between similar modes such as Aeolian and Dorian. The Refract button will show you the structure difference between the two mode by playing them up in a rising sequence.
Leave the Anchor drone switched on as this will keep a root note underneath the notes being played. If you are changing intervals or moving through degrees, it will give a sense of harmonic centre. Use the button underneath the prism to toggle the drone on/off.
The Launch prism sweep button will play each of the seven degree one by one to demonstrate the full range of the mode. Clicking on the Stamp button saves that interesting configuration to your Mode itinerary, adding it to a list of stops underneath the widget. Click the chip for each stop in the route area to replay that stop. Use Retrace to back out of the previous stop. Use Travel to play through all the stops you’ve saved in order.
Next up is the Mode vamps section. Here, there are three typical chord progressions that can be played over current mode. You’ll see each progression as a series of tiles. These can be clicked on to hear a brief harmonic loop consisting of diatonic triads. It puts the mode into a more musical context than just notes alone. The tonic remains in view so the harmony remains grounded.
The widget is fully keyboard-controlled, too. The number keys (1-7) will play their respective scale degree. The brackets keys cycle around the available modes along the rail. P launches the prism sweep, while D enables/disables the drone. When a degree is in focus, use arrow keys to shift it left/right in the selection.
The help panel is accessible via the Help button in the top right corner. The panel will appear on the side for a quick refresher of the keyboard shortcuts and controls. Clicking on the button will close out the panel so as not to clutter up your workspace.
The Fullscreen button expands the widget giving it more space on the screen.
Dorian vs Aeolian: Listen how the sixth degree impacts the sound, then try changing that sixth degree for a smooth transition from one flavour of minor to another. Create an itinerary by stamping various tonic and modes in parallel colors. This way you can come back to a particular harmonic moment without having to reset all your settings.
Try out the vamps, then hear what happens when it’s used in a chordal context. With the drone as an anchor, sweep up through the degrees. It’s not meant to be performed but rather a comparative and listening device.
You should of enjoyed exploring the intervals and hearing them resolve. First choose a mode you are interested in, then select a tonic. Play with it, tapping on the degrees to feel out the scale. Next, slide the morph slider to change the sound and listen as slight adjustments greatly change the character of what is heard. The interface responds to every interaction promptly.
Find the colors inside the parallel modes and enjoy.