120 BPM
Modes are one of the most confusing topics in music theory. Musicians know the names — Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian — but often can't tell them apart by ear. Most music theory tools show modes as static scale charts or relative relationships in the Circle of Fifths. Very few let you hear the same melody across all seven modes side-by-side, which is the fastest way to internalize each mode's unique color.
Mode Compass is an interactive explorer for all 7 diatonic modes. Pick any root note, select a mode, and hear a short melody played in that mode. The compass visualization shows the interval structure, and the piano keyboard lets you play the mode yourself. Toggle sequential playback to hear all 7 modes one after another with the same melody, making the differences crystal clear.
Each mode is defined by its unique pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H) from the root. The seven modes differ by exactly one "characteristic interval" — the note that distinguishes it from its major/minor relative. For example, Dorian's major 6th makes it sound brighter than natural minor, while Phrygian's flat 2nd gives it a Spanish/Exotic flavor. The app uses the Web Audio API to synthesize melodies using the selected mode's scale degrees, with oscillators tuned to the exact frequencies. The compass visualization maps the 7 scale degrees radially, with the characteristic interval highlighted.