Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to be able to sing advanced modes? Are you confused about how the Lydian mode works? Modes are a feature of folk music around the world but are also both in jazz and 20th/21st century classical. Singing Shape Notes Solfege Lydian Melodies will help you master advanced modes. Keep reading to learn more.
So far, we’ve learned these four modes:
This post uses music terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article.
The Modes and Singing Shape Notes Solfege Lydian Melodies
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
The G Lydian Mode:
Practice with the G Lydian Mode soundtrack to prepare for singing the shape notes solfege Lydian melody in the following section.
What are the features of the Lydian mode?
- Lydian has a similar sound to the major scale.
- However, the solfege syllables will go from Fa to Fa instead of Do to Do.
- This means the fourth scale degree will be raised, making it sound higher that the major scale.
For an explanation of the modes, click here.
To learn how shape notes work, read:
“Come, Listen to My Story” and Singing Shape Notes Solfege Lydian Melodies
Come, Listen to My Story:
The melody used in Singing Shape Notes Solfege Lydian Melodies comes from The Crowley Coral Book and dates from the 16th century.
- Outside of jazz and 20th/21st century classical, you won’t find Lydian used too often.
- However, I’ve modified the melody from Come, Listen to My Story to give you an example to sing.
- Make sure to take breaths at the phrase endings as this will allow you to support your pitch. If you don’t take a good breath, your note will go flat.
I’ve specially selected the soundtrack’s tuning to aid in your ear training.
- Listening carefully to the distance between the notes will train your ear’s sense of melodic intonation. Regular practice with the sing-along soundtracks will help establish your brain’s 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.
For your enjoyment, I have provided a video of Come, Listen to My Story.
- However, Come, Listen to My Story’s mode in the video will be Ionian instead of Lydian.
- Listen for how the video sounds different from the soundtrack above.
After you’ve mastered “Come, Listen to My Story,” you can try singing the quiz below.
Video: Come, Listen to My Story
Singing Shape Notes Solfege Lydian Melodies: Quiz
Summary for “Singing Shape Notes Solfege Lydian Melodies”
Here’s some final thoughts on “Singing Shape Notes Solfege Lydian Melodies.”
- Practice singing the solfege syllables with the sing-along soundtracks while reading the music.
- Be sure to take adequate breaths at the phrase endings.
- Make sure to pay attention to the shape of the noteheads, as this will help you improve your sight singing.
- Be sure to listen to the sound of the music to train you ear to sing melodies in tune.
Shape notes can help any vocalist sight sing better. However, people with LD, ADD, ASD, and other special needs will find this multisensory approach particularly helpful.
Have fun singing!
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
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