The influence of rotatory inertia and shear deformation on the flexural vibrations of isotropic, rectangular plates is investigated. Three independent families of modes are possible when the edges are simply supported. Coupling of the modes is studied for the case of one pair of parallel edges free and the other pair simply supported. The development of the coupling is traced by means of a solution for elastically supported edges. Special attention is given to the higher modes and frequencies of vibration which are beyond the range of applicability of the classical theory of thin plates.