A Ionian Mode

The A Ionian Mode has a Major quality due to its Major Third C♯. The Ionian Mode, like A Ionian Mode, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, C in the case of the Ionian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as A Ionian Mode in this example. A Ionian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯. The A Ionian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules. Due to its popularity the Ionian Mode later became known as the Major Scale. A Ionian Mode is therefore identical to the A Major Scale.

Below you will find the A Ionian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the A Ionian Mode on your preferred instrument.

Notes Ascending

A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A

Notes Descending

A, G♯, F♯, E, D, C♯, B, A

Notation Ascending

Notation Descending

Pattern Ascending

T, T, S, T, T, T, S

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

S, T, T, T, S, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
A1Tonic
B2Supertonic
C♯3Mediant
D4Subdominant
E5Dominant
F♯6Submediant
G♯7Leading Tone
A8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
A8Tonic (Octave)
G♯7Leading Tone
F♯6Submediant
E5Dominant
D4Subdominant
C♯3Mediant
B2Supertonic
A1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
A > A0Perfect Unison (P1)
A > B2Major 2nd (M2)
A > C♯4Major 3rd (M3)
A > D5Perfect 4th (P4)
A > E7Perfect 5th (P5)
A > F♯9Major 6th (M6)
A > G♯11Major 7th (M7)
A > A12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
A > A0Perfect Unison (P1)
A > G♯1minor 2nd (m2)
A > F♯3minor 3rd (m3)
A > E5Perfect 4th (P4)
A > D7Perfect 5th (P5)
A > C♯8minor 6th (m6)
A > B10minor 7th (m7)
A > A12Perfect Octave (P8)

Chords related to A Ionian Mode

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the A Ionian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

I Chord - A Major

ii Chord - B Minor

iii Chord - C♯ Minor

IV Chord - D Major

V Chord - E Major

vi Chord - F♯ Minor

viio Chord - G♯ Diminished

Learn to Play A Ionian Mode

Instrument View

See A Ionian Mode on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

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