Definition of plagal mode
: a church mode (such as Hypophrygian or Hypomixolydian) with the same final (see final entry 2 sense c) as its parallel authentic mode but with an ambitus a fourth lower
A plagal mode is found a fourth below its authentic, and the final of the authentic serves also for the plagal.— Rupert Hughes, The Musical Guide, 1903
— compare authentic mode — see church mode illustration
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“Plagal mode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plagal%20mode. Accessed 17 May. 2022.
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The first known use of plagal mode was in 1721
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