Chant Flashcards
(20 cards)
Benedict of Nursia
Late and early 6th century (died in 540). Founded a monastery and created a set of rules and daily expectations for behavior, as well as daily routines.(See Offices/Canonical Hours.) He created the Offices as well.
Ligature
Clump of notes on one syllable.
Syllabic
One note per syllable
Neumatic
A few notes per syllable
Melismatic
Many notes per syllable
Direct
A way to perform chant, in which everyone sings the whole thing except the opening.
Antiphonal
A way to perform chant in which two groups alternate. (usually used for Psalms)
Responsorial
A way to perform chant in which a soloist is alternating with the full group.
Gregory the Great
(Died 604) Chant was named after Him because he promoted singing. He was a good leader and helped establish the centrality of the church in society after the fall of the Roman empire and during war, plague, and famine.
Mass
A feast centered around the Eucharist (Kryie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei)
Proper
Item in the service with a text that changes depending on the day.
Ordinary
Item with the same texts every day.
Offices/Canonical Hours
8 Daily worship services in Beneictian Monastaries. (Vespers, sundown; Compline, before bed; Matins, middle of the night; lauds, daybreak; prime; terce; sext; nones)
Psalm Tone
A reciting formula for Psalms; there is a repeated note for every word with a flourish at the ends of phrases and verses.
Doxology
A type of Psalm tone, a short hymn of praise to God. Often at the end of a Psalm
Trope
An addition to an existing piece of chant through new music, text, or both.
Sequence
Part of the proper mass with rhyming text and clear meter for the text.
Guido of Arezzo
(d. 1033) Came up with staff notations, the hexachord system, and solfedge.
Guidonian Hand
Would allow you to teach someone else a chant quickly without parchment. Associate each note on the hexachord system with some part of the hand.
Gloss
Commentary on a previous work of literature
