Which mode has the interval alteration flat 2, 3, 6, 7?

Which mode has the interval alteration flat 2, 3, 6, 7?

• A. Aeolian
• B. Locrian
• C. Mixolydian
• D. Dorian

Answer: (D)

This question asks you to identify which mode matches a specific pattern of interval alterations relative to the major scale. When we say flat on a degree, we’re lowering that step from natural to a semitone lower. Flatting the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees creates the scale pattern 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7. That is exactly the characteristic of Phrygian: 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7. The other modes change different degrees: for instance, Dorian flattens the 3rd and 7th; Mixolydian flattens only the 7th; Aeolian flattens the 3rd, 6th, and 7th; Locrian adds a flat 5 along with the others. Lydian raises the 4th instead of flattening these degrees. So the mode with flats on 2, 3, 6, and 7 is Phrygian.

This question asks you to identify which mode matches a specific pattern of interval alterations relative to the major scale. When we say flat on a degree, we’re lowering that step from natural to a semitone lower.

Flatting the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees creates the scale pattern 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7. That is exactly the characteristic of Phrygian: 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7. The other modes change different degrees: for instance, Dorian flattens the 3rd and 7th; Mixolydian flattens only the 7th; Aeolian flattens the 3rd, 6th, and 7th; Locrian adds a flat 5 along with the others. Lydian raises the 4th instead of flattening these degrees. So the mode with flats on 2, 3, 6, and 7 is Phrygian.