major mode
1
6.3
- noun
- /ˈmeɪdʒər moʊd/
- Specialized
:
modo mayor
- Many classical composers preferred using the major mode for their most joyful pieces.
Examples
-
The song is composed in a major mode, giving it a cheerful and uplifting feel.
-
The distributions were basically Poisson, with the major mode occurring at zero dolphins killed (Fig. 2).
Academic text (1992) -
Using regular numbers for only the major mode will help students understand how non-major scales and keys are altered without referring to the traditional whole-step/half-step method of constructing scales.
Academic text (2003) -
In music theory class, we learned that the major mode is characterized by a bright sound that evokes happiness.
Synonyms
1
3.7
A set of seven notes with whole steps except half steps between the third and fourth and seventh and eighth
1
4.9
A set of musical notes that sounds bright and happy
A common eight-note pattern in Western music with small steps between third and fourth and seventh and eighth
Antonyms
How Bright
- Specialized
1
6.3
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built: 'major' (the major scale/bright, happy quality) modifies 'mode' (a diatonic note sequence), so the phrase denotes a mode based on the major scale. This is a transparent, directly derivable meaning and is expressed similarly across many languages, so a learner who knows both constituents would grasp it.
Etymology
Major mode names a way of using notes built on the major scale; mode here means a pattern of notes and major suggests something stronger or brighter than other scales. Because this pattern of notes sounds clear and sunny, major mode is used for music that feels 'bright' or 'happy'.