"Feeling" in relation to chords and modes

Is it just me or is it not the modes that gives it its 'sound', but its the chord(s) that you are playing over top of?

I think your part right. It's the combination.

Our very own Afro Raven wrote a lesson and referenced a book my Frank Gamball. I didn't get the book but I did get the video off of netflix's and Frank demonstrates with several examples. It's really pretty cool.

Of course, without a point of reference, your brain wont adjust. So the chords you play whilst playing your mode is essential, otherwise it will all sound the same.

Very interesting.

I think I understand what you're saying. Sometimes I know how a song is going to be structured by constructing a progression in my head, oftentimes it's constructed off a mode or melody and then I have trouble finding chords to get the right mood because they're are some crazy chords that fit perfectly in a progression.

Lately I've been writing more interesting songs by constructing them off of spontaneous melodies and then adding the chords. I seem to get stale songs by constructing them off chords alone.

So to sum it all up I think it's both, they complement each other unless you play "outside" the rules.

they work off of each other slacking in one area with only hurt the other. and without melody(modes) there would be no harmony(chords).

side note- be-pop is jazz which is based on chords while modal-jazz is based off of melody. IF i remember right "so what" harmonic structure is just one chord Eb minor7

You're right RA but I think Jazz is exempt.

why would jazz be exempt?

I mean free form Jazz which developed from bebop is exempt from any rules rarely they follow some melody or structure but rules are out the door.

Not really, there's a lot of theory behind Jazz, and when you properly study it, there's still rules, it's just easier to follow because it allows the musician to freely express themselves.