Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Want to be able to sing modes? I can help. You’ll run into the Ionian mode more often than any other type of mode. It’s used extensively in pop, jazz, classical, and even folk music. In Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies, you’ll be singing the last mode we’ll look at in the modes series. Keep reading to learn more.
To date, we’ve looked at these five modes:
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
The Modes and Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies
Before you start singing the shape notes solfege Ionian melody in the following section, you should review the modes and how shape notes work:
Grandfather’s Clock and Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
Grandfather’s Clock:
We’ll use the classic melody from Grandfather’s Clock for the singing example in Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies.
- Ionian is the most common mode used in Western music, bar none. You’ll hear it in all types and styles of music.
- Be sure to breathe at the end of the phrases as this will support your tone. If you don’t breathe, your pitch can sink making you go out of tune.
The soundtrack has a specially selected tuning to help train your ear:
- Carefully listening to the span between the notes will help you to learn how to sing melodies in tune.
- Practicing singing with the sing-along soundtracks will further train your brain’s mental pitch
- The song tracks use synthetic voices rather than actual voices. Research has shown that this will help with the ability to identify and produce absolute pitch information. For more information, click here.
After you’ve gotten “Grandfather’s Clock” down, try singing the quiz below. To hear the whole song, watch the video version of Grandfather’s Clock.
Video: Grandfather’s Clock
Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies: Quiz
Summary for “Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies”
Here’s some final thoughts on “Singing Shape Notes Solfege Ionian Melodies.”
- Sing the solfege syllables as you sing along with the soundtrack.
- If you find sight singing difficult, be sure to use the shape notes as a sight singing aid.
- This multisensory approach will be especially important for vocalists with LD, ADD, ASD, and other special needs.
- After you’re comfortable with singing the shape notes, you can try reading regular standard notation.
- To learn how to do that click here.
- If the Ionian mode sounds familiar to you, that’s because it’s the same as the major mode.
Have fun singing!
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
Glossary
Can Somebody Explain Why Power Chords Sound Powerful?
Power chords are an integral part of rock music’s electric guitar sound. However, you only get that exact sound when you use power chords with distortion. Why? Because a distorted electric guitar doesn’t sound quite as good with full major and minor harmonies. Why? Keep reading “Can Somebody Explain Why Power Chords Sound Powerful?” to learn why these powerful little two and three note harmonies work. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
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How Do I Switch from Minor Key Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 2
How do I switch from minor key shaped notes to standard notation?” Sight singing minor keys in standard notation can be challenging. Because it can be difficult to figure out if you’re in a major key or the relative minor. Read more to learn how to transition from shaped notes to standard notation for minor keys. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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How to Graduate from the Color Coded Music Score: Part 3
Do your students get confused by space note D at the bottom of the treble staff? Or do they have a problem with space note B on the top of the bass staff? Read more to learn how to switch from color coded notes to special mnemonics, allowing students to graduate from the color coded music score. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
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Do visual spatial thinkers and other neurodivergent musicians need to have sheet music tailored to how they learn?
Do visual spatial thinkers (and other neurodivergent) musicians need to have sheet music tailored to how they learn? Neurodivergent musicians learn in fundamentally different ways from typical leaners. This means that students with learning differences (LD) can greatly benefit from adapted scores. Read more to find out how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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