Mastering Modes: A Sax School Student’s Story

Cracking the Code of Modes: Izi’s Lightbulb Moment with Joel Purnell

Learning Saxophone Online: Izi’s Big Question

Adult beginner saxophonist Izi has been working through the Scale Accelerator Program in Sax School Online and recently hit Level 10. While exploring modes in scales like F# major, melodic minor, and harmonic minor, she encountered a puzzle that many adult learners face:

“I was just wondering why isn’t it always the first is the first and the second is the second?”

What followed was a masterclass in musical understanding from tutor Joel Purnell, whose calm and clear explanation helped Izi (and everyone listening) make sense of what modes really are—and why they matter when learning to play saxophone with confidence.

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Modes Made Simple: Joel’s Explanation

Modes can seem intimidating, especially when you’re juggling scale patterns and strange-sounding names like Phrygian or Locrian. But Joel simplified it beautifully:

“Modes are just a scale type, like a major scale, but you’re starting on different degrees of the scale.”

Joel illustrated how changing the root note changes the relationship between notes—producing entirely different sonic “vibes.” This is especially true when working with melodic minor and harmonic minor scales, where the usual major-scale rules no longer apply.

Joel explained:

“The reason why they’re all slightly different is because they’re all slightly tweaked… Modes are the best we’ve got for trying to describe an entire soundscape in one word.”

For Izi, this was a breakthrough. She realized that modal names are less about rigid structure and more about describing sound and mood, giving musicians a language to communicate musical ideas quickly and clearly.

 Joel’s Tips On Understanding Modes for Adult Learners

• Think of modes as “sound personalities”: Each mode brings a unique flavor—learn to recognize the mood they create.
• Use interval formulas: Knowing a mode’s interval structure (e.g. Mixolydian = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7) helps demystify their use.
• Start with familiar ground: Joel recommends learning major scale modes first before exploring melodic and harmonic minor modes.

From Confusion to Confidence: Using the “Train Your Ears” Course

Joel recommended the Train Your Ears Course inside Sax School for students wanting to sharpen their understanding of modes. This interactive course helps learners hear the differences between modes—and recognize them in real music.

“If you go into the Train Your Ears one where it kind of goes through each mode and it plays it… a lot of modes have up to 25 names!”

This course is ideal for adult beginners wanting to connect theory to sound, especially those playing saxophone online without a formal music background.

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Embracing the Journey as an Adult Learner

Izi’s question may have seemed small at first, but it led to a huge step forward in her saxophone journey. For adult learners, these moments of clarity are what make the process so rewarding.

As Joel put it perfectly:

“They’re not important unless you want to discuss them… At the end of the day, you really just want to be able to play them.”

And thanks to Sax School’s supportive environment, structured lessons, and expert tutors like Joel, adult sax players like Izi are doing just that—playing with confidence and joy.

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Tutor Bio
Joel Purnell is widely regarded as one of the UK’s top jazz educators and performers. With over 20 years of experience teaching at Leeds Conservatoire, Joel brings a deep understanding of saxophone technique and jazz theory to Sax School Online.