Introduction

Have you ever noticed how music can make you feel so many different things? Sometimes it is bright and happy, other times it is serious, adventurous, or even a bit mysterious. Just like an artist uses different colours and shades to paint a picture, musicians use different musical colours to create these feelings.

In this workbook, we are going to explore something called modes. Modes are like special types of musical scales that give music a unique flavour or mood. You might think they sound ancient, and you would be partly right – they come from fascinating cultures like Ancient Greece and were used in music from the Middle Ages. Learning about them helps us see how musical ideas have developed over thousands of years, showing us that people long ago were just as creative and dynamic as we are today.

But here is the exciting part: modes are not just history. They are powerful tools still used by composers and musicians today in all kinds of music, from your favourite pop songs and rock anthems to exciting video game soundtracks and classical masterpieces.

As we explore each mode, you will discover how just one or two special notes, which sometimes use sharps or flats, can completely change the feeling of a scale, adding rich new colours to your music. In the booklet you can explore a whole new world of musical sounds.

This volume is part of the Triquetrae (TQ) Music Programme series and can be used towards the Build Zone focus on the knowledge of ancient sounds and the Create Zone compositions using level note patterns. The research project in the TQ Grow Zone can focus on scales and modes or this workbook can contribute to the Explore Zone sounds and sonic cultures. Finally, this volume plays a significant role in ‘The Circle Challenges’ and ‘Triangle Triad Challenge’ To find out more about the Triquetrae project please contact the publishers of this book or see the website.