The Ionian Mode Feels RELAXING

Is there a point to the "Ionian mode"? It's just another name for the major scale, and surely the major scale couldn't have any unique colours or qualities that set it apart? Well, in the process of making this video I discovered that, if you treat the major scale like I've been treating every other major mode, it does have a uniquely relaxing quality. Check out the examples in the video and you'll see what I mean!

0:00 - Ionian Mode vs Major Scale
1:06 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Museum Theme
2:51 - Final Fantasy VI - Relm's Theme
5:11 - Earthbound - Sunrise & Onett Theme
6:47 - Super Mario Bros. - Star Theme
7:24 - Mode Fun Fact
9:00 - Voice Leading of the Major Scale
9:32 - Pokemon Red/Blue - Pallet Town
11:50 - Outro

#ionian #gamemusic #8bitMusicTheory

[paulnewhouse]

Pallet town music makes you feel like a baby taking their first steps.

[auxchar]

That's a very interesting distinction. It's like how people normally think of vanilla ice cream when they think of ice cream, but asking the question of what does vanilla itself actually taste like?

[ThePianoFortePlayer]

The tritone observation was pretty cool, I remember hearing before that the reason why Major and Minor (from Ionian and Aeolian) are the most stable because the tritones are not on any of the tonic chord tones, Mixolydian and Dorian are slightly less stable because the tritone is on the 3rd of the tonic chord, and Lydian and Phrygian are the least stable (after Locrian of course) because the tritones are on the 1st (Lydian) and 5th (Phrygian) of the tonic chord.

[EvincarOfAutumn]

If I had to sum it up, I’d say Ionian sounds safe. And sure, safety can be boring, if what you want is adventure. But if you’ve spent a while feeling unsafe, it sure is a relief to hear that sincere “welcome home” kind of sound.

[Stonehawk]

Relm's theme: quaint rural peace
Relm's character: SHRIEKING AGENT OF CHAOS

[NoJobRob]

Can't wait for the melodic minor modes! Please continue this series with as many scales as possible!

[josku]

I’ve known the major modes for a long time, but it has been cool to watch these videos and see how they are practically implemented.

Now then, I’m absolutely stoked about the minor modes! Those I haven’t had time to learn yet, so I’m deffinitely going to watch your vids on them!🎉

[PinochleSundae]

Thank you for doing this.This is the first series on modes I've encountered that actually spends any time on Ionian mode examples. Others gloss over it as something the audience already knows and doesn't need to hear again.

[FrostyLosty]

That’s a fancy way of saying a Major Scale!

[JanneOksanenMusic]

Relm's Theme is one of the most beautiful melodies Uematsu has ever written and interestingly the second part of it is very similar to what FF8's theme song Eyes on Me eventually came to be. "Never said my words, wishing they would be heard"

[pikmin]

once I learned the importance of tritones, it was very gratifying to have been a simpsons fan since childhood. never had a problem hearing those intervals hehe

[connordarvall]

Man, I'm glad to learn about modes as it adds an easy shorthand to get music closer to the sound I want.

[Fortunalux]

This was a brilliant series. Thank you, 8-bit. Looking forward to the next one.

[melodycellody]

thanks so much for this series! i've been working on a composition portfolio for my music degree and this helped me so much with getting the creative juices flowing!

[wolftickets]

In Ori and the Blind Forest, "The Waters Cleansed" is the perfect contrast to the original Aeolian moded "Thornfelt Swamp" theme. During the prologue, "Naru, Embracing The Light" is similarly contrasted with the preceding "Ori, Lost in the Storm" and the following "Calling Out". In the darker and edgier sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, the Ionian is used much less often, but still gets its moment to shine in the game's central village, the Wellspring Glades.

[KarmaPaymntPlan]

Relaxing, is one of the most reasonable words to type in all caps

[kaymojil]

Finding and applying Tritones was hard for me as a baby music student. Your summary of where to find them and why that’s important in any mode was so well said!!

[maillardsbearcat]

Yo the tritone thing is a huge revelation to me holy shit

[AubriGryphon]

Relm's Theme: "...producing a beautiful, relaxing effect." *shockingly harsh pipe kicks in*

[Picksqueal]

There are a few errors at 8:35; G Mixolydian, C Ionian, and D Dorian all have their labels mixed up. They were correct when previously focused but the full list seems to be goofed. Regardless, thank you for the great content.