Ionian

TQ-Explore Activity

Focus Three Explore World Sounds

Ionia was a region of Ancient Greece, located in what is now Turkey. The Ionian mode's name is a reference to this historical area, significant in the early development of musical concepts.

Map highlighting Ionia during the period 480 - 294 BCE, with illustrations of Italian, Greek, and Turkish flags indicating historical influences or connections.

In 1547, the Swiss music theorist Heinrich Glareanus Glareanus (28 February or 3 June 1488 – 28 March 1563 ) added and named four new modes. He claimed they were more popular than the eight older church modes.

He published these in his treatise, or book, called Dodecachordon meaning twelve strings. The Ionian mode and Aeolian were the focus of these four new modes. The Aeolian is introduced later in the book, and the Ionian is presented below.

TQ Build Activity

Focus Nine Ancient Sounds

The notes of the Ionian mode became the C major scale, in fact, the Ionian mode is another name for the major scale. The Ionian mode from C uses the notes C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C.

Ionian Mode A Beginners Guide to Modes: Ancient & Modern

You are using C major if your piece of music has clear "home base" sounds (the tonic) and moves away from and then back to it, often using chords that create a feeling of pulling towards that home, this is called "functional harmony."

If your piece explores the sounds within the scale without the typical tension and resolution of functional harmony, or if it feels more open and exploratory in its sound, it is more accurately described as the Ionian mode. While musically identical to the major scale, understanding its historical roots helps us explore how music theory has evolved over time.

TQ-Create Activity

Focus seven, create a piece using level scales, modes and chords

Using only the white notes of the Ionian mode, try to write a very short melody (4-8 notes) that starts and ends on C, and try to make it sound 'happy' or 'wandering'.

Remember that you want to avoid the home sound of functional harmony

Manuscript Paper Download

TQ Grow Activity

Focus two, complete a simple research project

Ionian Mode Questions

1. Where was the region of Ionia located?

2. Who was Heinrich Glarean, and what was his book called?

3. What common musical scale is the Ionian mode the same as?

4. How might a piece of music in C major sound (e.g., bright, sad, mysterious)?

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