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As a beginner, I'm told that usually songs mostly use the 1, 4 and 5 chords (e.g. C major songs mostly use C, F and G), but does this apply to modes as well? Thinking about getting started with the basics, not every esoteric possibility here. For instance, if you're in Dorian in the key of C so your root note is D and the other notes are all naturals, would the "basic" chords be D, G and A as 1, 4 and 5? Enlighten me, please.

As a beginner, I'm told that usually songs mostly use the 1, 4 and 5 chords (e.g. C major songs mostly use C, F and G), but does this apply to modes as well? Thinking about getting started with the basics, not every esoteric possibility here. For instance, if you're in Dorian in the key of C so your root note is D and the other notes are all naturals, would the "basic" chords be D, G and A as 1, 4 and 5? Enlighten me, please.

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[–] • 0 pt

Well, yes, the notes of C Major imply that the D chord would be a minor, maybe I should have said the chords of a Dorian mode in C would be Dm, Gmaj and Am but I thought that would be obvious.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

I'm use to interperiting an upper case note letter as meaning the major triad. My comment was more about nomenclature, you have the concept correct.

[–] • 0 pt

That must be so, as I said, I'm still learning, thanks.

[–] [deleted] • 2 pts

No problem. If you want a good learning tool for chords and scale basics check out the chord wheel book by Jim Fleser. ISBN 978-0-634-03047-5. The cover of this book is a circle of fifths with a clear wheel on top that will outline the major scale and name all the chords. It's been my most used book on music.