Introduction to Gregorian Chant

The StaffThere are four lines and three spaces used in Gregorian chant notationBoth lines and spaces are counted from the lowest to the highestThere may (rarely) be one supplementary line above or below the staff

The Notes and Their NamesMusical sounds are distinguished by sonic packages called notesNotes used in Gregorian melodies include:(1) la ti do re mi fa sol la ti do re mi fa sol(2) A B C D E F G a b c d e f g(3) 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5

The Diatonic ScaleGregorian chant uses notes arranged in a diatonic scale: seven pitches arranged in a set pattern of tones and semitonesThere are only two semitones in the diatonic scale: between mi and fa and between ti and doAll other pitches are at intervals of a whole tone

The FlatThere is only one accidental permitted in Gregorian chant: the flatted ti which is then called teuThe flat is in effect:(1) as long as the word lasts(2) until the next bar line of any type(3) until revoked by a natural sign

The Flat

The Natural

The ClefsA clef is a stylized letter placed on a line at the beginning of a staffA clef indicates the name of the note written on that lineGregorian chant notation utilizes two clefs:(1) the UT or DO clef(2) the FA clef

The UT / DO ClefThe form of the UT or DO clef is derived from the letter C in alphabetic notationThe C clef is usually found on the third and fourth linesMore rarely it is found on the second lineIt is never found on the first line or in spaces

The FA ClefThe form of the FA clef is derived from the letter F in alphabetic notationThe FA clef is normally placed on the third lineOn rare occasions the FA clef may be placed on the second lineThe FA clef is never placed on the first line or in the spaces

Bar-LinesBar-lines in Gregorian notation do not indicate time-divisionGregorian notation uses four kind of bars:(1) the double bar(2) the full bar(3) the half / member bar(4) the quarter / incise bar

The Double BarCloses a chant piece or one of its major divisionsMay indicate where whole choir takes up singing (also indicated by **)May indicate where the chanting alternates and changes sides in choir (also indicated by *)

The Double Bar

The Full BarCuts all four lines of the staffIndicates the end of a phraseSpecifies that the last notes just before it be prolongedDirects a full breath be taken before resuming the chant

The Full Bar

The Half BarCuts the two middle lines of the staffIndicates divisions known as clauses or membersSpecifies that the notes just before it may be given a slight prolongationDirects that a short breath may be taken

The Half Bar

The Quarter BarCuts only the top line of the staffIndicates divisions known as sections or incisesSpecifies a short sustaining of the voiceWhen serving as a comma or virgula it may indicate a very rapid breath

The Quarter Bar

The CustosSign placed at the end of each line of Gregorian notation to indicate in advance the first note of the following lineAlso employed in the course of a line when there is a change in the placement of the clef to show the relative pitch of the first note after the change

The Custos

Single NotesThe ordinary single note is the punctum (quadratum): a simple square noteAs part of a group of notes (neum) as single note may appear as:(1) a virga (punctum with a tail)(2) a rhombus / punctum inclinatum (diamond-shaped note)

Punctum (Quadratum)

Virga

Rhombus (Punctum Inclinatum)

DurationThe duration of a single note may be modified:(1) by the addition of a dot, doubling its length(2) by the horizontal episema, a slight prolongation without doubling its length

NeumsThe grouping together of several notes is called a neumNeums may be classified as:(1) simple (podatus, clivis, torculus, porrectus, climacus, scandicus) (2) augmented (flexus, resupinus, subpunctis, praepunctis)(3) compound (combination of simple neums)(4) ornament (quilisma, distropha, tristropha, pressus, oriscus, salicus, liquescent)

Two-Note NeumsTwo-note neums occur in four categories:(1) podatus / pes (second note higher than first)(2) clivis / flexa (second note lower than first)(3) distropha (second note on same pitch as first)(4) bivirga (same as distropha with differing notation)

Podatus / Pes

Clivis / Flexa

Distropha

Bivirga

Three-Note NeumsThree-Note Neums appear in five categories:1) torculus2) porrectus3) climacus4) scandicus5) tristropha

Torculus (2nd note higher than 1st and 3rd)

Porrectus (2nd note lower than 1st and 3rd)

Climacus (each successive note lower -- may have more than 3)

Scandicus (each successive note higher -- may have more than 3)

Tristropha (three notes on same pitch)

Four-Note NeumsFour-note neums appear in five categories:1) torculus resupinus2) porrectus flexus3) climacus resupinus4) scandicus flexus5) pes subbipunctis

Torculus Resupinus( torculus + 4th note higher than 3rd)

Porrectus Flexus(porrectus + 4th note lower than 3rd)

Climacus Resupinus(climacus + 4th note higher than 3rd)

Scandicus Flexus (scandicus + fourth note lower than 3rd)

Pes Subbipunctis(podatus followed by descending rhombi -- may be more than 2)

Five-Note (+) Subpunctis NeumsSubpunctis neums of five or more notes include:1) porrectus subbipunctis / subtripunctis2) scandicus subbipunctis / subtripunctis

Porrectus subbipunctis / subtripunctis (porrectus + 2 or 3 descending rhombi)

Scandicus subbipunctis / subtripunctis (scandicus + 2 or 3 descending rhombi)

Special NeumsSpecial Neums include:1) the quilisma2) the oriscus3) the pressus4) the salicus5) liquescent neums or groups

Quilisma (a tremulant note whose preceding note is prolonged)

Oriscus (meeting of a neum and a note on the same pitch)

Pressus (meeting of a note and a neum [minor] or 2 neums [major] on the same pitch

SalicusA scandicus with the ictus (vertical episema) on the second last note, which second last note is somewhat prolonged (but not two beats)A scandicus is not considered a salicus unless it has the ictus (vertical episema) printed on the second last note of the neum

Liquescent NeumsNeums in which the last note is printed smaller than the note or notes which precede itFacilitates the pronunciation of words at the juncture of vowels and certain consonantsThe smaller note has the same duration as the larger note(s)