Embedded Files
Melodies for sight-singing and dictation using diatonic modes, the whole tone scale, octatonic scale, and blues scales.
Modes
Modes
Dorian
Dorian
Singing Warmup: Sing through the natural minor scale, then sing through the Dorian scale, adjusting the 6th scale degree [Image File] [MuseScore]
1) Béla Bartók, Mikrokosmos Vol. I, No. 31 (1939) [Image File | MuseScore | PDF | Youtube 17:01-17:36]
4) Pérotin, Ave Maris Stella (ca. 1200), mm. 1-9 [Image File] [MuseScore]
7) Traditional Folksong, China, “In that Distant Place” [Image File | MuseScore ]
8) Ari Pulkkinen, “Angry Birds Theme,” from the video game Angry Birds (2012), mm. 1–11 [Image File | MuseScore | PDF | Youtube: 0:00–0:20]
9) Lady Gaga, "Abracadabra" [Image File | MuseScore | PDF | Youtube 0:39–0:53] (Instructor Note: F Dorian)
10) Lady Gaga, "Abracadabra" [Image File | MuseScore | PDF | Youtube 0:53–1:10]
Phrygian
Phrygian
Singing Warmup: Sing through the natural minor scale, then sing through the Phrygian scale, adjusting the 2nd scale degree [Image File] [MuseScore]
4) Britney Spears, "If U Seek Amy," from Circus (2009), chorus [Image File] [MuseScore]
6) Björk, “Army of Me,” from Post (1994) [Image File | MuseScore | Youtube: 0:26–1:00]
8) Huntrix, “How It's Done,” chorus, from K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) [ Youtube: 0:54–1:20]
Lydian
Lydian
Singing Warmup: Sing through the major scale, then sing through the Lydian scale, adjusting the 4th scale degree [Image File] [MuseScore]
Mixolydian
Mixolydian
Singing Warmup: Sing through the major scale, then sing through the Mixolydian scale, adjusting the 7th scale degree [Image File] [MuseScore]
2) Yasunori Mitsuda, “Marbule (Home World) Theme,” from the videogame Chrono Cross (1999) [Image File | MuseScore | PDF | Youtube: 0:03–0:15]
3) Yasunori Mitsuda, “Guardia Millennial Fair,” mm. 1–4, from the video game Chrono Trigger. Transcription by DoubleMark from VGLeadSheets. [Image File | MuseScore | Youtube: 0:00–0:06]
Aeolian
Aeolian
Singing Warmup: Sing through the natural minor scale as a warmup for the Aeolian mode. [Image File | MuseScore]
1) Unknown (Traditional Native American Song), "Haliwa-Saponi Canoe Dance" [Image File | MuseScore ]
4) “Wicasa-Atawan Olowan. Song of the Seer,” Native American Dakota Song, as sung by Tatanka-lfecila (Short Bull). Transcribed by Natalie Curtis. [Image Link | MuseScore ]
Locrian
Locrian
Singing Warmup: Sing through the natural minor scale, then sing through the Locrian scale, adjusting the 2nd and 5th scale degrees. [Image File] [MuseScore]
Whole Tone
Whole Tone
Octatonic
Octatonic
Blues Scales
Blues Scales
Singing Warmup: Try some of the Blues Scale Warmups here by Ethan Hein: "Don't Sweat It," "In your Soul," and "The Down Stroke."
Warmups & Exercises
Warmups & Exercises
David Newman, The Well Trained Ear (2019)
Modal hits from the album include:
"Ms. Mixolydian and Dorian Go Drinking," "The Phrygian Song," and "The Locrian Song"
Check out the links for the audio and sing-along lyrics.
Ethan Hein, "Modes from Bright to Dark"
A Noteflight Score with a 2-bar riff that is repeated with variations in each mode. It cycles through the chromatic scale. It would be a good classroom warmup to practice listening for slight variations between the modes.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Sight Singing Textbook (San Fransisco Conservatory)
Miranda Wilson, Integrated Musicianship: Aural Skills: Sight-Singing Modes (examples from the repertoire)
Paula Maust, Expanding the Music Theory Canon: Modes
Ethan Iverson, Two Dozen "Blues Riffs” (See the article here)
Diverse Music Theory Examples: Modes
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