Modes

From Advancing Music Theory
This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Twelve-Tone Equal Temperament category.

Objectives[edit]

  • Students will be able to write a given modal scale on a given note.
  • Students will be able to write the key signature for a given mode in treble and bass clef.
  • Students will be able to identify the mode represented by a given key signature and tonic.
  • Students will be able to identify the mode of a short melodic segment
  • Student will be familiar with the history of modes (greek to church to modern)
  • Student will be familiar with naming of modes using Greek names or numbers
  • Student will understand the relationship between relative and parallel modes
  • Students will be able to label melodies with solfege (fixed or moveable do; students will be familiar with non-do-based systems)

Resources[edit]

Readings[edit]

Instructor References[edit]

Listening or Videos[edit]

Class Activities[edit]

  • Discussion and definition of the diatonic modes
  • Proper notation in treble and bass clef of the key signature for a given mode
  • Identification of key signature for music from different genres and time periods
  • Identification of mode for a short melodic example
  • Discussion of fixed vs. moveable do solfege systems and their use in different modes

Assignments[edit]

  • Writing modal scales
  • Transposing a melody to different modes
  • Identifying short melodic excerpts in different modes

Notes[edit]