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The plagal of the first tone is a diatonic tone which may be based on κε or πα. Most hymns in the irmologic tempo are based on κε, while those in the stikhiraric or papadic tempos are usually based on πα. It is not unusual for a hymn to modulate from one mode to another, usually on an emphasized or accented phrase. This tone also lends itself to modulation into the chromatic modes as well.
In hymns of the plagal of the first tone which are based on κε, a comma or semicolon in a phrase should end on high νη′ or δι; occasionally these hymns will modulate to a vasis of πα in which case the phrase will end on πα. A full stop (i.e. period) should end on κε.
In hymns of the plagal of the first tone which are based on πα, a comma or semicolon in a phrase should usually end on κε or δι. A full stop should end on πα, except for the very end of the hymn, in which case it will end on δι (or, more rarely, κε; the Paschal apolytikion is an exaple of this).
The simplified apikhima for the plagal of the first tone
based on κε is as follows:
κε ζω νη ζω κε
The simplified apikhima for the plagal of the first tone
based on πα is as follows:
δι γα βου πα
(The apikhima is a mnemonic device which the chanter chants before a hymn written in that tone in order to "get into" the prescribed mode. Other apikhima may be found in Greek and Romanian sources. Many of these can be quite helpful but are not so easily memorized.)