Exploring the Versatility of Song Keys Beyond Major and Natural Minor Scales

When we talk about the key of a song, many believe it to be limited to either a major or a natural minor scale. However, this is merely a fraction of the scales composers can use to create a piece of music. In fact, there are hundreds of possible scales that can be utilized.

A Dive into Dorian Mode

A common scale often used in songs other than major and natural minor is the Dorian mode. This mode is particularly versatile and can add a unique flavor to melodies. If we start the Dorian mode on the note D, it consists of all the natural notes: D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. This scale often replaces the natural minor scale in certain situations, as it can provide a different emotional resonance, typically creating a mellow or reflective mood.

One of the most notable songs written in the Dorian mode is Scarborough Fair. This folk classic demonstrates how the Dorian mode can be used to evoke a specific atmosphere, quite different from the typical minor or major key. Another interesting example is the lyrics of the blues song It Ain’t Necessarily So, which often utilize the Dorian scale for its harmony. This scale can create a minor I and a major IV, giving it a unique and haunting quality.

Beyond Major and Natural Minor: Exploring Other Scales

While Dorian mode is remarkable, it is just one of the many scales that can be used in songwriting. Major and natural minor scales are just two of the hundreds of scales that can serve as the basis for a piece of music. Here are a couple of examples that showcase the diversity of scales:

D Scale Example
C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb

Hexatonic Scale Example
C, D, E, F, G, A, B

A scale can even have fewer than seven notes. Five-note scales, also known as pentatonic scales, are quite common in various genres of music, from blues and rock to traditional music around the world. Scales with eight to ten notes, known as heptatonic and octatonic scales, respectively, also exist and add a rich variety to a piece of music.

Key Systems and Modes

We often think of key systems in the context of sharps and flats. However, this system is essentially a major key system from which we derive the natural minor key. This is done to simplify the complexity of having different key signatures for each type of minor scale. By using the major key signature, we can more easily switch between major and minor modes. For instance, if a piece is in C Dorian mode, it will use the key signature of Bb (the relative major).

When composers use modes, they often use the prevailing major scale from which the mode is derived. This practice helps maintain consistency and clarity in the music. For example, when moving from the Dorian mode to the mixolydian mode, the underlying major scale does not change, and its key signature remains the same.