The Locrian Mode: What is it? Why should musicians learn it?

The Locrian Mode

The Locrian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a natural minor scale with a lowered second and fifth scale degree. It is the least commonly used of the church modes and is often used in music with a dissonant or unstable character.

How to play the Locrian mode on the Mandolin

It is important for musicians to learn the Locrian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Locrian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Locrian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

In modern music, the Locrian mode is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, rock, and classical. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Locrian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

The Locrian Mode: What is it? Why should musicians learn it?

The Locrian Mode

The Locrian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a natural minor scale with a lowered second and fifth scale degree. It is the least commonly used of the church modes and is often used in music with a dissonant or unstable character.

How to play the Locrian mode on the Mandolin

It is important for musicians to learn the Locrian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Locrian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Locrian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

In modern music, the Locrian mode is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, rock, and classical. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Locrian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

The Aeolian Mode: What is it? Why should musicians learn it?

 

The Aeolian Mode

The Aeolian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a natural minor scale. It is named after the ancient Aeolians and is often used in music with a sad or introspective character.

How to play the Aeolian mode on the Mandolin

It is important for musicians to learn the Aeolian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Aeolian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Aeolian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

In modern music, the Aeolian mode is used in a variety of genres, including rock, jazz, and classical. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Aeolian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

The Aeolian Mode: What is it? Why should musicians learn it?

 

The Aeolian Mode

The Aeolian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a natural minor scale. It is named after the ancient Aeolians and is often used in music with a sad or introspective character.

How to play the Aeolian mode on the Mandolin

It is important for musicians to learn the Aeolian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Aeolian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Aeolian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

In modern music, the Aeolian mode is used in a variety of genres, including rock, jazz, and classical. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Aeolian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

The Mixolydian Mode: what is it? how is it used today? Why is it important to learn?

The Mixolydian Mode

The Mixolydian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a major scale with a lowered seventh scale degree. It is often used in bluegrass, blues and rock music.

How to play the Mixolydian mode on the Mandolin

In modern music, the Mixolydian mode is used in a variety of genres, including blues, rock, jazz, and folk. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Mixolydian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

It is important for musicians to learn the Mixolydian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Mixolydian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Mixolydian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

The Mixolydian Mode: what is it? how is it used today? Why is it important to learn?

The Mixolydian Mode

The Mixolydian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a major scale with a lowered seventh scale degree. It is often used in bluegrass, blues and rock music.

How to play the Mixolydian mode on the Mandolin

In modern music, the Mixolydian mode is used in a variety of genres, including blues, rock, jazz, and folk. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Mixolydian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

It is important for musicians to learn the Mixolydian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Mixolydian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Mixolydian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

The Lydian Mode: what is it? how is it used today? Why is it important to learn?

The Lydian Mode

The Lydian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a major scale with a raised fourth scale degree. It is named after the ancient Lydians and is often used in music with a bright or luminous character.

How to play the Lydian Mode on the Mandolin

In modern music, the Lydian mode is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, pop, rock, and electronic. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Lydian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

It is important for musicians to learn the Lydian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Lydian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Lydian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

The Lydian Mode: what is it? how is it used today? Why is it important to learn?

The Lydian Mode

The Lydian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a major scale with a raised fourth scale degree. It is named after the ancient Lydians and is often used in music with a bright or luminous character.

How to play the Lydian Mode on the Mandolin

In modern music, the Lydian mode is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, pop, rock, and electronic. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Lydian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

It is important for musicians to learn the Lydian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Lydian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Lydian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

The Phrygian Mode: what is it? how is it used today? Why is it important to learn?

The Phrygian Mode

The Phrygian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a natural minor scale with a lowered second scale degree. It is named after the ancient Phrygians and is often used in music with a Spanish or Middle Eastern flavor.

How to play the Phrygian Mode on the Mandolin

In modern music, the Phrygian mode is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and folk. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Phrygian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

It is important for musicians to learn the Phrygian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Phrygian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Phrygian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

The Phrygian Mode: what is it? how is it used today? Why is it important to learn?

The Phrygian Mode

The Phrygian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a natural minor scale with a lowered second scale degree. It is named after the ancient Phrygians and is often used in music with a Spanish or Middle Eastern flavor.

How to play the Phrygian Mode on the Mandolin

In modern music, the Phrygian mode is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and folk. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Phrygian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

It is important for musicians to learn the Phrygian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Phrygian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Phrygian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

The Dorian Mode: what is it? how is it used today? Why is it important to learn?

The Dorian Mode

The Dorian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a natural minor scale with a raised sixth scale degree. It is named after the ancient Greek Dorians and is often used in music with a somber or mournful character.

How to play the Dorian Mode

In modern music, the Dorian mode is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and folk. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Dorian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

It is important for musicians to learn the Dorian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Dorian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Dorian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

The Dorian Mode: what is it? how is it used today? Why is it important to learn?

The Dorian Mode

The Dorian mode is a musical mode that is characterized by a natural minor scale with a raised sixth scale degree. It is named after the ancient Greek Dorians and is often used in music with a somber or mournful character.

How to play the Dorian Mode

In modern music, the Dorian mode is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and folk. It is often used to create melodies and harmonies, and it is a popular choice for improvisation. The Dorian mode is also used in modal jazz, which is a style of jazz that is based on the use of modes rather than traditional chord progressions.

It is important for musicians to learn the Dorian mode because it is a fundamental building block of Western music theory. Understanding the Dorian mode and how it works can help musicians to better understand the structure and construction of melodies and harmonies, and to develop their musical skills and knowledge. Additionally, learning the Dorian mode can help musicians to improvise and create music in a wide variety of styles and genres, as it is a versatile and widely used mode.

The Church Modes: What are they? who invented them? how are they used today? why should musicians learn them? how are they used in music?

The Church Modes

The seven church modes, also known as the "modes of ancient Greek music," are a set of seven musical modes that were used in Western liturgical music from the 9th to the 13th centuries. These modes were derived from the musical modes of ancient Greek music and were used to set the melodies of hymns and other religious music in the Christian church.  The church modes are a set of musical modes that were used in the medieval period, particularly in Gregorian chant. There are seven church modes, each with a distinct set of characteristics and uses. The modes are:

1.  Ionian mode: This mode is characterized by a major scale. It is named after the ancient Ionians and is often used in music with a joyful or celebratory character.
2.  Dorian mode: This mode is characterized by a natural minor scale with a raised sixth scale degree. It is named after the ancient Greek Dorians and is often used in music with a somber or mournful character.
3.  Phrygian mode: This mode is characterized by a natural minor scale with a lowered second scale degree. It is named after the ancient Phrygians and is often used in music with a Spanish or Middle Eastern flavor.
4.  Lydian mode: This mode is characterized by a major scale with a raised fourth scale degree. It is named after the ancient Lydians and is often used in music with a bright or luminous character.
5.  Mixolydian mode: This mode is characterized by a major scale with a lowered seventh scale degree. It is named after the ancient Mixolydians and is often used in blues and rock music.
6.  Aeolian mode: This mode is characterized by a natural minor scale. It is named after the ancient Aeolians and is often used in music with a sad or introspective character.
7.  Locrian mode: This mode is characterized by a natural minor scale with a lowered second and fifth scale degree. It is the least commonly used of the church modes and is often used in music with a dissonant or unstable character.

How to play the Modes on the Mandolin

It is not known who invented the seven church modes, but they were likely developed by ancient Greek musicians and were later adopted and adapted by the Christian church. Today, the church modes are still used in certain styles of classical and religious music, and they are also used as a theoretical framework for understanding and creating melodies in various musical styles. The church modes are not as commonly used as they were in the medieval period, but they are still studied by musicians as a way of understanding the foundations of Western music theory. Musicians may learn the church modes to broaden their understanding of different tonal systems and to develop their ability to create and analyze music in different modes. In modern music, the church modes are sometimes used to create melodies or harmonies, or as a basis for improvisation.

Musicians should learn the church modes because they provide a foundation for understanding the structure and organization of melodies in Western music. By learning the church modes, musicians can develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between different notes and chords in a melody, and they can use this understanding to create more expressive and nuanced music. In addition, learning the church modes can also help musicians to become more familiar with the historical and cultural context of Western music, which can deepen their appreciation for different musical styles and traditions.

The Church Modes: What are they? who invented them? how are they used today? why should musicians learn them? how are they used in music?

The Church Modes

The seven church modes, also known as the "modes of ancient Greek music," are a set of seven musical modes that were used in Western liturgical music from the 9th to the 13th centuries. These modes were derived from the musical modes of ancient Greek music and were used to set the melodies of hymns and other religious music in the Christian church.  The church modes are a set of musical modes that were used in the medieval period, particularly in Gregorian chant. There are seven church modes, each with a distinct set of characteristics and uses. The modes are:

1.  Ionian mode: This mode is characterized by a major scale. It is named after the ancient Ionians and is often used in music with a joyful or celebratory character.
2.  Dorian mode: This mode is characterized by a natural minor scale with a raised sixth scale degree. It is named after the ancient Greek Dorians and is often used in music with a somber or mournful character.
3.  Phrygian mode: This mode is characterized by a natural minor scale with a lowered second scale degree. It is named after the ancient Phrygians and is often used in music with a Spanish or Middle Eastern flavor.
4.  Lydian mode: This mode is characterized by a major scale with a raised fourth scale degree. It is named after the ancient Lydians and is often used in music with a bright or luminous character.
5.  Mixolydian mode: This mode is characterized by a major scale with a lowered seventh scale degree. It is named after the ancient Mixolydians and is often used in blues and rock music.
6.  Aeolian mode: This mode is characterized by a natural minor scale. It is named after the ancient Aeolians and is often used in music with a sad or introspective character.
7.  Locrian mode: This mode is characterized by a natural minor scale with a lowered second and fifth scale degree. It is the least commonly used of the church modes and is often used in music with a dissonant or unstable character.

How to play the Modes on the Mandolin

It is not known who invented the seven church modes, but they were likely developed by ancient Greek musicians and were later adopted and adapted by the Christian church. Today, the church modes are still used in certain styles of classical and religious music, and they are also used as a theoretical framework for understanding and creating melodies in various musical styles. The church modes are not as commonly used as they were in the medieval period, but they are still studied by musicians as a way of understanding the foundations of Western music theory. Musicians may learn the church modes to broaden their understanding of different tonal systems and to develop their ability to create and analyze music in different modes. In modern music, the church modes are sometimes used to create melodies or harmonies, or as a basis for improvisation.

Musicians should learn the church modes because they provide a foundation for understanding the structure and organization of melodies in Western music. By learning the church modes, musicians can develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between different notes and chords in a melody, and they can use this understanding to create more expressive and nuanced music. In addition, learning the church modes can also help musicians to become more familiar with the historical and cultural context of Western music, which can deepen their appreciation for different musical styles and traditions.

Church Modes aka Canonical Modes - What Are They and How They Work

 

If you're a musician, then you already know about scales.  Most musicians know two types of scales: Major and Minor.  Major scales follow a consistent set of intervals:

Root, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half
(R,W,W,H,W,W,W,H)

A Half is 1 key (white or black) on the keyboard.  A Whole is two keys together, either a black and a white or a white and a white:

Here, starting with middle C (the white key next to the 2 black keys), the notes are C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C (all white keys)

If Root is the first note, then the rest are as follows: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, with 8 being the octave and the root note of the 2nd octave.  

Look at the following keys to see what the notes are for a Major scale:

• G: G,A,B,C,D,E,F#,G
• D: D,E,F#,G,A,B,C#,D
• A: A,B,C#,D,E,F#,G#,A
• E: E,F#,G#,A,B,C#,D#,E

(These 4 keys are useful to start with because they are also the strings of the violin and the mandolin left to right).

Now let's get to the modes.

About 600 years ago, the Catholic Church was looking for a way to teach Hymns to people who couldn't read.  They came up with the Canonical Modes, or Church Modes.  Each mode has a different quality (Sad, happy, etc).  I'll list them in order next with a mnemonic to remember them more easily:

1. Ionian (Major): I
2. Dorian: Don't
3. Phrygian: Play
4. Loud: Lydian
5. Music: Mixolydian
6. About (Relative Minor): Aeolian
7. Love: Locrian

Note the two types of scales most musicians already know, Major (Ionian), and Relative Minor (Aeolian).  Ionian is the 1st mode in the list of 7 modes, and Aeolian is the 6th mode.  Now remember that because it's going to be the way you figure out what the relative minor is in a given key.

The first note of the mode corresponds to the note at the number of the corresponding or relative major/ionian mode.  

For example: the first note of G Ionian/Major is G, the first note of the G Dorian is A, G Phrygian is B, etc.:

• Ionian G
• Dorian A
• Phrygian B
• Lydian C
• Mixolydian D
• Aeolian E
• Locrian F#

Let's do another one, how about D?

• Ionian D
• Dorian E
• Phrygian F#
• Lydian G
• Mixolydian A
• Aeolian B
• Locrian C

So when you are practicing your scale "set", if you are practicing just the Major and Relative Minor, then you'll pick the 1st and 6th notes of whatever the key is that you're practicing: G,E; D,B; A,F#, etc.  If you want to practice all of the modes instead of just those 2, you will follow the instructions above, or play the notes in sequence according to the modes.  Let's do a whole set for G:

• Ionian: G,A,B,C,D,E,F#,G
• Dorian: A,B,C,D,E,F#,G,A
• Phrygian: B,C,D,E,F#,G,A
• Lydian: C,D,E,F#,G,A,B,C
• Mixolydian: D,E,F#,G,A,B,C,D
• Aeolian: E,F#,G,A,B,C,D,E
• Locrian: F#,G,A,B,C,D,E,F#

I recommend that my students practice a different scale set around the circle of 5ths each day.  Starting at the top with C, then going a 5th clockwise (G, etc); and reversing course after C#.  So you'll practice the set around the circle of 5ths including all 7 of the modes.

Contact me if you have questions!

Church Modes aka Canonical Modes - What Are They and How They Work

 

If you're a musician, then you already know about scales.  Most musicians know two types of scales: Major and Minor.  Major scales follow a consistent set of intervals:

Root, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half
(R,W,W,H,W,W,W,H)

A Half is 1 key (white or black) on the keyboard.  A Whole is two keys together, either a black and a white or a white and a white:

Here, starting with middle C (the white key next to the 2 black keys), the notes are C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C (all white keys)

If Root is the first note, then the rest are as follows: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, with 8 being the octave and the root note of the 2nd octave.  

Look at the following keys to see what the notes are for a Major scale:

• G: G,A,B,C,D,E,F#,G
• D: D,E,F#,G,A,B,C#,D
• A: A,B,C#,D,E,F#,G#,A
• E: E,F#,G#,A,B,C#,D#,E

(These 4 keys are useful to start with because they are also the strings of the violin and the mandolin left to right).

Now let's get to the modes.

About 600 years ago, the Catholic Church was looking for a way to teach Hymns to people who couldn't read.  They came up with the Canonical Modes, or Church Modes.  Each mode has a different quality (Sad, happy, etc).  I'll list them in order next with a mnemonic to remember them more easily:

1. Ionian (Major): I
2. Dorian: Don't
3. Phrygian: Play
4. Loud: Lydian
5. Music: Mixolydian
6. About (Relative Minor): Aeolian
7. Love: Locrian

Note the two types of scales most musicians already know, Major (Ionian), and Relative Minor (Aeolian).  Ionian is the 1st mode in the list of 7 modes, and Aeolian is the 6th mode.  Now remember that because it's going to be the way you figure out what the relative minor is in a given key.

The first note of the mode corresponds to the note at the number of the corresponding or relative major/ionian mode.  

For example: the first note of G Ionian/Major is G, the first note of the G Dorian is A, G Phrygian is B, etc.:

• Ionian G
• Dorian A
• Phrygian B
• Lydian C
• Mixolydian D
• Aeolian E
• Locrian F#

Let's do another one, how about D?

• Ionian D
• Dorian E
• Phrygian F#
• Lydian G
• Mixolydian A
• Aeolian B
• Locrian C

So when you are practicing your scale "set", if you are practicing just the Major and Relative Minor, then you'll pick the 1st and 6th notes of whatever the key is that you're practicing: G,E; D,B; A,F#, etc.  If you want to practice all of the modes instead of just those 2, you will follow the instructions above, or play the notes in sequence according to the modes.  Let's do a whole set for G:

• Ionian: G,A,B,C,D,E,F#,G
• Dorian: A,B,C,D,E,F#,G,A
• Phrygian: B,C,D,E,F#,G,A
• Lydian: C,D,E,F#,G,A,B,C
• Mixolydian: D,E,F#,G,A,B,C,D
• Aeolian: E,F#,G,A,B,C,D,E
• Locrian: F#,G,A,B,C,D,E,F#

I recommend that my students practice a different scale set around the circle of 5ths each day.  Starting at the top with C, then going a 5th clockwise (G, etc); and reversing course after C#.  So you'll practice the set around the circle of 5ths including all 7 of the modes.

Contact me if you have questions!

Daily Practice - A Reminder, Checklist

Daily Practice - A Reminder, Checklist
by Adam R Sweet

It's absolutely critical that you practice at least something every day!  What you practice is also critical.  Just playing a few tunes, or jamming with friends is only one part of daily practice (the fun part!).

Divide your practice time into three "chunks" of equal length.  That means, if you practice 30 minutes a day, each chunk will be 10 minutes.

First Chunk: A Daily Scale "Set"

• each day play a different scale set from the circle of fifths (if you're practicing bluegrass music), otherwise a different tonic set using the 7 church modes
• practice 2 octaves, use 4th fingers always
• remember where to shift when playing in 3rd and 4th positions
• fiddlers: practice the 4 bowing patterns with each scale
• mandolinists: practice the 5 picking patterns with each scale
• circle of fifths: practice the major AND the relative minor with each set
• modes: practice all 7 modes
• practice the arpeggios for each scale (1,3,5,8)

Second Chunk: New Material

• Sight read assigned new material
• Practice first measure, slowly, without ornamentation or bowing until you have the notes down, then go on to 2nd, 3rd, 4th measures
• After you have the measures well established, add any ornamentation and bowings as indicated in the sheet music or by your instructor
• Don't try to learn the whole piece in one "chunk".  It's better to master one 4 bar phrase than to play the whole piece poorly

Third Chunk: Review & Sight Reading

• Jam with friends/family
• Review old material, work on the hard parts
• Sight Read out of the Fiddler's Fakebook or any other book as assigned by your instructor

A Mode Mnemonic

Remembering all seven of the church modes can be a challenge.  I remember them by using a mnemonic.  I've heard many different ones over the years.  This is my favorite:

The 7 Church Modes

I've Developed Perfectly Logical Modal Associations. Listen!

1. I've = Ionian (Major)
2. Developed = Dorian
3. Perfectly = Phrygian
4. Logical = Lydian
5. Modal = Mixolydian
6. Associations = Aeolian (Natural Minor)
7. Listen = Locrian

I also like this one: "I Don't Play Loud Music About Love"

Now the way to remember the notes in a mode is that the interval between the half steps on the white keys on the piano are the same: B>C; E>F first, and second, which note the mode starts on.  If you remember those two things, you have all the intervals of the modes!

C = Ionian (C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C)
D = Dorian (D,E,F,G,A,B,C,D)
E = Phrygian (E,F,G,A,B,C,D,E)
F = Lydian (F,G,A,B,C,D,E,F)
G = Mixolydian (G,A,B,C,D,E,F,G)
A = Aeolian (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,A)
B = Locrian (B,C,D,E,F,G,A,B)

Another way to remember the modes is to use all white notes, memorize sound then transpose to different keynotes.   For example:

In the Ionian Mode, the half step interval is between the 3rd and the 4th notes and the 7th and 8th notes.  That one is easy to remember because it is the "major" scale.  The intervals are R,W,W,H,W,W,W,H

In the Dorian Mode, the half step interval is between the 2nd and 3rd and the 6th and 7th notes.  It has a "minor" like sound.  The intervals are R,W,H,W,W,W,H,W

etc.

NOTES:

• The key to using the modes, or being able to hear them in compositions, is to practice/drill the scales until you "get them in your ear", until they are part of the monkey brain - the same place that stores all of your other musical references.  
• Go through the music you already know and try to pick out the modes.  Set those aside and categorize them in terms of which mode they belong to.  As you develop your modal "ear", you will soon be able to know immediately which tune is in which mode.
• I recommend practicing the modes every day in addition to scales, arpeggios, chords and bowing/picking patterns.