Neumes
- The music did not have any kind of notational system.
- The tunes were past on orally.
- The form of notation only served as a memory aid for a singer who already knew the melody.
- A Neume is the basic element of Western and Eastern systems of musical notation prior to the invention of five-line staff notation.
Neumes are written on a four line staff on lines and spaces, unlike modern music notation, which uses five lines. Chant does not rely on any absolute pitch or key; the clefs are only to establish the half and whole steps of the hexachord scale: "do", "re", "mi", "fa", "sol", "la","ti", "do"
Neumes Representing Single Notes
The virga and punctum are sung identically. Scholars disagree on whether the bipunctum indicates a note twice as long, or whether the same note should be re-articulated. When this latter interpretation is favoured, it may be called a repercussive neume.
The virga and punctum are sung identically. Scholars disagree on whether the bipunctum indicates a note twice as long, or whether the same note should be re-articulated. When this latter interpretation is favoured, it may be called a repercussive neume.
Neumes Representing Two Notes
When two notes are one above the other, as in the podatus, the lower note is always sung first.
When two notes are one above the other, as in the podatus, the lower note is always sung first.
Neumes Representing Three Notes
The fact that the first two notes of the porrectus are connected as a diagonal rather than as individual notes seems to be a scribe's shortcut.
The fact that the first two notes of the porrectus are connected as a diagonal rather than as individual notes seems to be a scribe's shortcut.
Compound Neumes
Several neumes in a row can be juxtaposed for a single syllable, but the following usages have specific names. These are only a few examples.
Several neumes in a row can be juxtaposed for a single syllable, but the following usages have specific names. These are only a few examples.
Other Basic Markings
Interpretative Markings
These markings, although present in almost all early manuscripts, are subject to great dispute.
These markings, although present in almost all early manuscripts, are subject to great dispute.