For more information also see Modality in Early Ming Qin Tablature.³

The primary tonal center in Shen Qi Mi Pu jiao mode melodies is the relative pitch gong (1, do); the secondary tonal centers are jiao (3, mi) and yu (6, la). The open third string plays the note gong; this string is named "jiao". It is tempting to think that there is a connection between the fact that these melodies are placed in the jiao mode and the fact that their primary tonal center is on the string called jiao, plus a secondary tonal center is the relative note jiao. However, I have never seen any other commentary to this effect. Instead, some later melodies seem to be included under the jiao mode simply because they end on the string jiao, even though the note jiao does not seem to have played a significant role.

At present I have learned six melodies in this mode:

Although the two Shen Qi Mi Pu pieces seem to have been quite popular in the Ming dynasty, the mode was not used very much otherwise. The above Xilutang Qintong melodies are found only in that handbook.

Only two Ming dynasty handbooks list a significant number of jiao mode melodies:

1. Xilutang Qintong (1549) lists 13 entries (#s 52-64) under jiao. However, five of these (#59 to #61 and #63 and #64) seem actually to belong to a different mode. Of the remaining eight, three (#52 and #s 57 and 58) are versions of the Shen Qi Mi Pu melodies discussed above. One other one was also published earlier, Xianshan Yue (second of two, copied from 1457).
2. Guyin Zhengzong (1634) lists six entries (#s 24-29). However, quite of few of these also seem to be in a different mode (e.g., #24 Yan Luo Pingsha seems to fit better the yu mode).

Another important melody included within jiao mode is:

To some up, the main reason for confusion on jiao mode melodies seems to be the fact that, although for most of the melody the note jiao may not be important, they often end on the jiao string played as do (1).

 
Original preface⁴
None

 
Music⁵
One section

(00.33) -- harmonics
(00.48) -- Modal prelude ends

 
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Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Shenpin Jiao Yi 神品角意
35831.43 角音 jiao yin says "spring dream sound" but has no jiao diao.
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2. Pronunciation of 角
My teacher Sun Yü-Ch'in pronounced this "jiao" and this is the way I usually pronounce it, though most people today say "jue". Its original meaning is "horn".
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3. Also Qin Tunings, some theoretical concepts.
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4. Preface to the jiao modal prelude
Although SQMP modal preludes have no prefaces, those in Zheyin (which all have identical music) do. Those in Zheyin are almost identical to those in Chongxiu Zhenchuan Qinpu (1585), and so the latter can be used to reconstruct the former when they are missing. Thus the preface to the jiao modal prelude was probably as follows:

5. Music for the jiao modal prelude
The lyrics from the version in 1585 can be sung here, suggesting they might also have been in the original edition of Zheyin Shizi Qinpu.
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