This video captures an improvisation of mine which I named The Fairytale and the Prophecy. Fairytales often begin with an idealised lightness — that “once upon a time” might introduce a beautiful kingdom or a whimsical delight in an illusory happiness. But fairytales often turn dark and soon the main characters of the story are navigating magical curses. But then they all live happily ever after. In contrast with the idealised expectation of a fairytale happy ending, the curse of a prophecy can create the illusion of a dark inevitability — a predetermined fate where we have no power. But in this particular musical story, perhaps we don’t have to choose between the illusory perfection of a fairytale, or the deceptive inevitability of destiny. The characters of the modes exist in the ambiguity of between. And this acceptance itself seemed to create the light that was being sought in the certainty of the fairytale ending, or the certainty of fate. This piece of music is no fairytale, but it does end happily ever after. 

Technical Mode Table

Mode Used	Note Names	Parent Scale	Modal Relationship
D Major (Ionian)	D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯	D Major	1st Mode of D Major
D Lydian	D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯	A Major	4th Mode of A Major
D Lydian ♯2	D – E♯ – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯	F♯ Harmonic Minor	6th Mode of F♯ Harmonic Minor
B Aeolian (Natural Minor)	B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A	D Major	6th Mode of D Major
D Mixolydian ♭6	D – E – F♯ – G – A – B♭ – C	G Melodic Minor	5th Mode of G Melodic Minor

Interval Formulas

Major (Ionian) Mode Formula

• Formula: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7
• Intervals: (Root, Major 2nd, Major 3rd, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, Major 6th, Major 7th)

Lydian Mode Formula

• Formula: 1 – 2 – 3 – ♯4 – 5 – 6 – 7
• Intervals: (Root, Major 2nd, Major 3rd, Augmented 4th, Perfect 5th, Major 6th, Major 7th)

Lydian ♯2 Mode Formula

• Formula: 1 – ♯2 – 3 – ♯4 – 5 – 6 – 7
• Intervals: (Root, Augmented 2nd, Major 3rd, Augmented 4th, Perfect 5th, Major 6th, Major 7th)

Aeolian Mode Formula

• Formula: 1 – 2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
• Intervals: (Root, Major 2nd, Minor 3rd, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, Minor 6th, Minor 7th)

Mixolydian ♭6 Mode Formula

• Formula: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
• Intervals: (Root, Major 2nd, Major 3rd, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, Minor 6th, Minor 7th)

Learn more about major scales aka the Ionian mode here, the Lydian mode here, the Lydian sharp 2 mode here, the Aeolian mode aka natural minor scale here, and the Mixolydian flat 6 mode here.

Learn more about modes in general: Complete Guide to Modes of the Major, Melodic Minor, and Harmonic Minor Scales

Further Listening

Through and Back — Improvisation in A♭ Lydian ♯2, A♭ Lydian & D Lydian

Dulcamara — Improvisation in B Dorian, E Mixolydian ♭6, E Major, G♯ Aeolian & B Mixolydian ♭6

Mapping a Constellation — Improvisation in G Dorian ♯4, A Phrygian Dominant, A Mixolydian ♭6 & G Aeolian