1. “Plainchant and Secular Monophony”
Chapter 1
“Plainchant and Secular Monophony”

2. Origins of Chant Recitation and singing of Christian scriptures
Based in Jewish Practices
Biblical references
Allure & danger of music - St. Basil (4th cent) - St. Augustine (5th cent)
Not systematized
Local Practices: Roman, Ambrosian, Gallican, Mozarabic, etc.
NO NOTATION
Origins of Chant

3. Early Organization of Chant
Pope Gregory I, “Great” (reigned )
Promotes “Roman” versions of chant
Credited w/ systematic organization of chants
Myth
Probably begun under earlier popes
From an early St. Gall MS

4. Origins of Notation Need to unify HRE
Impose common liturgy throughout HRE
Singing Schools - Metz (France) - St. Gall (Switzerland)
Texts notated as memory aids (Neumes)
Earliest appear c. late 800s
Coronation of Charlemagne (800 CE)

5. Nondiastematic Neumes
Pre-1000 (?)

6. Diastematic Neumes
11th Century

7. More Diastematic Neumes
MUH Music History I
11/12/2018
More Diastematic Neumes
Late 11th Century
DAY 4 (1 Sep 17)

8. “Square” Notation
14th Century

9. “Modern” Chant Notation
From the Liber Usualis

10. Plainchant Also: just “Chant” or “Gregorian Chant” Defined:
- one line melody (one or more singers)
- NO accompaniment/2nd or additional lines
Five elements
- Liturgical Function
- Relationship of Words and Music
- Mode
- Melodic Structure
- Rhythm

11. Liturgical Function Determines much of a chant’s sound, etc.
Two broad classes of services
Office (from officium = “duty”) - fixed daily series of 8 services (prayers, etc.) - monastery/nunnery – private devotions - Rule of St. Benedict defines these
Mass - daily public service (prayers, singing - Eucharist (re-enacts Christ’s sacrifice)

12. Ordinary vs. Proper
Based in Liturgical Calendar - Advent through Easter, then Pentecost
Feasts celebrated in order/assigned days - specific prayers, readings, hymns, etc.
Certain unique elements used on specific days - cannot be sung/said on any other day - PROPER
Unchanging elements not tied to specific days - Framework of mass/office - ORDINARY

13. Order of the Mass Music
Kyrie Gloria Credo Sanctus/Benedictus Agnus Dei Ite, missa est
Introit Gradual Offertory Communion
Ordinary
Proper

14. Words and Music How many notes for each syllable?
Syllabic (one note to each syllable) - “Victimae Paschali Laudes” - “Credo”
Melismatic (multiple notes for a syllable) - “Kyrie” - “Alleluia”
Neumatic (short melismas, 2-4 notes)