Frequently Asked Question:
How Are the Modes Defined Here?
The entry under the heading "Mode" designates the tonic note of the tune and then its melodic mode. When multiple modes can be identified, then the pattern of "chord" changes as defined by the melody is taken into consideration. For example, on the time scale of bars and groups, Irish Dorian tunes usually alternate between i and VII, and Mixolydian tunes between I, IV, and ii. When a tune moves through multiple tonalities, I only consider the beginning of the tune as I identify the mode. I would argue that this is compatible with the generally accepted use of melodic incipits to identify tunes. Be aware that mode identification is rather artificial for traditional Irish music, because of the primacy of melodic over harmonic identity and structure, and it is especially artificial for the pentatonic tunes.