Compare each displayed collection from C: its notes, intervals, theoretical degree stacks and sound. The chord shapes below use either bouzouki neck. These calculations explain the collection; practical accompaniment choices depend on the song, tradition and your teacher.
Pick a Dromos
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Matzore
Also known as: Major, Ionian, Rast*
*Several sources treat Rast as identical to Matzore, which is probably the more correct view. We present them as separate Dromoi here because that seems to be the more widespread practice.
C MATZORE
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Rast
Also known as: Matzore, Major, Ionian
*Several sources treat Rast as identical to Matzore, which is probably the more correct view. We present them as separate Dromoi here because that seems to be the more widespread practice. Descending, the 7th degree may also appear flattened.
C RAST
*Descending, the 7th may appear flattened.
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Hijaz
C HIJAZ
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Hijazkar
Relations to other Dromoi: Hijaz with a raised 7th.
C HIJAZKAR
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Peiraiotikos
Relations to other Dromoi: Hijazkar with a raised 4th.
C PEIRAIOTIKOS
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Tabachaniotikos
Relations to other Dromoi: Matzore with a flattened 6th.
C TABACHANIOTIKOS
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Segah
*In some sources Houzam and Segah appear the other way round. We go with the more common variant here. Either way, the two Dromoi are close relatives and are quite often combined.
Relations to other Dromoi: Matzore with a raised 2nd and a flattened 6th.
C SEGAH
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Houzam
*In some sources Houzam and Segah appear the other way round. We go with the more common variant here. Either way, the two Dromoi are close relatives and are quite often combined.
Relations to other Dromoi: Matzore with a raised 2nd. Descending, the 7th degree may also appear flattened.
C HOUZAM
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Natural minor
Also known as: Aeolian
C NATURAL MINOR
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Harmonic minor
Also known as: Buselik
Relations to other Dromoi: The natural minor with a raised 7th.
C HARMONIC MINOR
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Melodic minor
Relations to other Dromoi: The natural minor with a raised 6th and 7th. Descending, the accidentals are cancelled and the Dromos is played exactly like the natural minor.
C MELODIC MINOR
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Ousak
Also known as: Phrygian, Kiourdi*
*The laiko Dromos we call Ousak is actually a closer match to the makam Kürdi than to the makam Ushshak. We use the name Ousak here because it is the prevailing one, the one used in practice.
Relations to other Dromoi: The natural minor with a flattened 2nd.
C OUSAK
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Nikriz
Also known as: Pimenikos, Roumanikos
Relations to other Dromoi: The natural minor with a raised 4th and 6th. Ascending, the 7th degree may also appear raised.
C NIKRIZ
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Niavent
Also known as: Neveser, Navathar
Relations to other Dromoi: The harmonic minor with a raised 4th.
C NIAVENT
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Kartsigar
Also known as: Kiourdi*
*This Dromos is often met as Kiourdi. That name, however, would fit better the Dromos we have come to call Ousak.
Relations to other Dromoi: The natural minor with a flattened 5th and a raised 6th.
C KARTSIGAR
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Sabah
Relations to other Dromoi: The natural minor with a flattened 4th.
C SABAH
DIATONIC CHORDS
The triads on every degree of the Dromos, with their type below.
Practise What You Have Learned
Practise recognizing Dromoi by ear in Exercises, with the original catalog pool, difficulty levels and feedback.
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