Lesson 4
The eight modes (Echoi)
Byzantine chant is organised in eight modes, the echoi. A mode is more than a scale: it is a family of melodies, a character and a usual final note.
- α΄ — First: bright and solemn; usual final and ison on Πα.
- β΄ — Second: rich and expressive; usual final on Βου.
- γ΄ — Third: festive and bright; usual final on Γα.
- δ΄ — Fourth: solemn and festive; usual final on Δι.
- πλ. α΄ — Plagal first: resurrectional and bright; usual final on Πα.
- πλ. β΄ — Plagal second: expressive and colourful; usual final on Δι.
- βαρύς — Grave: grave and imposing; usual final on Γα.
- πλ. δ΄ — Plagal fourth: bright and festive; usual final on Νη.
The usual final is only a starting point. Real pieces move, and the printed score may mark a different ison.
The ison
The ison (ἴσον) is the drone: one note held under the melody. It gives the singer a stable centre and helps the ear hear the intervals. On the Listen page you can play drone notes in a loop and hear model melodies in each mode.
The player on each piece page can add an ison automatically. That is an editorial default, not something read from the printed book.