For more information also see Modality in Early Ming Qin Tablature.²

The main note in SQMP jiao mode pieces is gong (1, third string); the secondary notes are jiao (3) and yu (6). Shen Qi Mi Pu has two pieces in this mode,

Although these two pieces were very popular in early Ming, the mode was not used very much otherwise.

The only handbook to include a significant number of jiao mode melodies is Xilutang Qintong (1549), which includes 13 entries listed under jiao. Most of these melodies cannot be found elsewhere (the exceptions are Ziyou Fang Dai and Xianshan Yue). Those I have studied include:

1. Lienü Yin (however, the modal character seems different)
2. Cangwu Yuan

 
Music
One section

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

 
Return to the Shen Qi Mi Pu ToC or to the Guqin ToC.

 
Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1 神品角　35831.43 角音 (spring dream sound) but no jiao diao. Jiao (elsewhere also pronounced jue) means "horn". (Return)

2 Also Qin Tunings, some theoretical concepts. (Return)

3 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: