The trouble though with the common piano white notes explanation is that not everyone has got a piano, or even an understanding of what notes they are actually playing if they tend to play an instrument by ear. Plus you can get locked into the idea that to play in Dorian you must play in the key of D, Mixolydian in the key of. G, etc. when in reality of course you can use the modes in any of the standard twelve keys (G, G#, A, etc), and will need to do so if you venture into playing solos on guitar, etc.
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