Modes

This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Twelve-Tone Equal Temperament category.

Objectives

• 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

Readings

• Open Music Theory: Collections and Scales
• Tobey, A Feeling for Harmony: Chapter 1L - The Six Classic (Modern) Modes
• Classic FM: "Modes: What are they and how do I use them?"
• Teoria.Com: Gregorian Modes

Instructor References

• Ring, A Study of Scales

Listening or Videos

• Ring, "What is a Mode?"

Class Activities

• 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

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