Modes, Greek
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
The principal building block of Greek modes, were tetrachords (a scale of four notes spanning a fourth). Two tetrachords could be combined together to form heptachords (seven-note systems) and octave or double-octave systems. Musicians used tonoi1 (plural of tonos) which translated these 'systems' into specific sequences of modes or scales of pitched notes called harmoniai which were later called modes.
1The tonoi had different names, such as Ionian, Dorian and Aeolian which referred originally to the styles of music practiced in different regions of Greece.
