First Mode

"The art of music marvels at your sounds, gives you the first place. Ah, how well deserved! As you are called First Mode by music’s art, first then be eulogised by us in words. O First, the first of beauties you obtain; first prize you hold of all in every place."

- The Paraklitike

First Mode (sometimes called "First Tone" or "Tone 1") is one of modes of Byzantine Chant. It is in the diatonic genus along with its plagal, Plagal First Mode. In its most common variants its primary note is Pa. Its apichema is "Ananes".

Main Variants
There are many common variants and forms of First Mode. They are outlined below, along with the types of hymns for which they are most commonly used within this mode. Please note that these groupings only apply to hymns specified as being in First Mode.


 * Eirmologic
 * Fast Eirmologic
 * First Mode (Fast Eirmologic)
 * All fast Stichera and fast Theotokia at the Kekregarion and the Praises, as well as fast versions of "Lord, I have cried" and "Let everything that hath breath".
 * The Stichologia
 * Some Idiomela
 * All fast Great Doxologies
 * The Anavathmoi
 * All Prokeimena
 * Kontakia and Apolytikia
 * All Poetic Kathismata except those to the melody "The soldiers standing guard"
 * Canons
 * Slow Eirmologic
 * First Mode (Slow Eirmologic)
 * Automela and Prosomia during vigils
 * Katavasiai
 * Kalophonic
 * First Mode (Kalophonic)
 * Paraliturgical adaptations of Eirmoi
 * Sticheraric
 * New Sticheraric
 * First Mode (Sticheraric)
 * Doxastika
 * Most Idiomela
 * Slow Stichera and fast Theotokia at the Kekregarion and the Praises, as well as slow versions of "Lord, I have cried" and "Let everything that hath breath".
 * Koinonika
 * Old Sticheraric
 * First Mode (Old Sticheraric)
 * Especially elaborate versions of the types of hymns normally sung in New Sticheraric.
 * Papadic
 * First Mode (Papadic)
 * Cheroubika