seven

G Mixolydian and E Phrygian contain exactly the same seven notes. Not similar notes — the same ones. E, F#, G, A, B, C, D. Play them starting from G and the sound is bright, open, a little wistful. Play them starting from E and the sound is dark, ancient, almost Spanish. The difference is not a single note. It’s which note is home.

Two people can share every experience and still sound completely different, depending on where they start.