Gregorian Chant Notes from KET Video

Basic Information on Gregorian Chant It is ALWAYS sung in Latin It was always sung by Monks/Priests in Religious Ceremonies Let’s Look at the Use of Musical Elements

MELODY/HARMONY All parts sung are unison –Only 1 part –No Harmony –No Chords or triads –All Sing Together on the same line

RHYTHM/TEMPO VERY FREE There is no time signature or strict rhythm There are only LONG NOTES and “NOT AS LONG” Notes…

Timbre Tone Color of the human voice ALL MALE VOICES… Try to sound like on voice, adds to sacred nature of music. –Remember, Gregorian Chant is written ONLY for religious purposes and ceremonies

DYNAMICS Nothing is marked on the music as “piano” “mezzo piano” or “forte” As notes get higher on the staff (4 lines remember), the volume gets louder… As notes get lower on the staff, the volume gets softer…

3 Performance Types Direct Performance –All Sing Together the Whole Song Antiphonal Performance –Splits the group in two halves ½ would sing one phrase,the other ½ would sing the second phrase Responsorial Performance –A Soloist sings the first phrase, then all other sing a phrase. (Call & Response)