Medieval Period & Gregorian Chants

The beginning and end of Medieval Period

The beginning and end of Medieval Period

800-1400 CE

Accapella

performed without instruments

Gregorian Chant

Scared music of the roman catholic church for over 1000 years

Antiphonal Singing

alternate singing of choirs

Responsorial Singing

Solo voice followed by singing in unison with the choir

Characteristics of Gregorian Chant

1. Performed in Acapella

2. Monophonic Texture

3. Limited Range

4. Sung in Latin

5. Written in special neumatic notation as seen in the pic attached)

6. unmetered (no time signatures)

7. Conjunct melody

8. Modal 9based on church modes)

Types of modal (which are based on church modes)

1. Authentic

2. Plagal

Syllabic

One syllable of the text is set to one note of the chant melody

Neumatic

One syllable of the text is set to a few note of the chant melody

Melismatic

One syllable of the text is set to many notes of the chant melody

psalmodic

Numerous syllables of the text is set to only one repeated note of the chant melody

Proper

includes six sections

(e.g intro n alleluja)

Ordinary

It contains the constant portions of the mass

(e.g kyrie [lord have mercy on us] n Gloria [Glory])

Requiem Mass

Euncharist Service for the dead, also known as “Missa pro defuntis”

Church Modes

1. Authentic

   • Dorian

   • Phrygian

   • Lydian

   • Mixolydian

   • Aeolian

   • Ionian

2. Plagal

   • Hypodorian

   • Hypophrygian

   • Hypolydian

   • Hypomixolydian

   • Hypoaeolian

   • Hypoionian