The Middle Ages: Gregorian Chant Vocabulary

Question 1

Neumes

Answer 1

the earliest form of notation in Western art music, small rotational symbols, originally indicating the direction of the melodic line, later in the shape of squares or diamonds positioned on a staff and representing specific pitches

Question 2

Monophonic texture

Answer 2

music consisting of a single line of melody (referred to as a “voice) with no harmony or accompaniment

Question 3

Polyphonic texture

Answer 3

two or more independent melodic lines (or voices) heard simultaneously, can also be referred to as contrapuntal texture

Question 4

A Capella

Answer 4

Latin for “in the chapel”, a vocal music without instrumental accompaniment, a characteristic of vocal music in the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Question 5

Modes

Answer 5

Scale patterns distinguished by their unique order of half steps and whole steps, served as the source for melodies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, generally referred to by their Greek names (Dorian, Phrygian, etc)

Question 6

Plainchant or Plainsong

Answer 6

Monophonic texture, modal melodies with relatively narrow melodic range and unmeasured prose rhythm (the rhythm follows the natural flow of the text)

Question 7

Gregorian Chant

Answer 7

a form of plainchant, sacred liturgical music of the Roman Catholic Church, generally with Latin (and occasionally Greek) texts, modal monophonic melodies with unmeasured rhythm that were named after Pope Gregory the Great

Question 8

Syllabic Note Setting

Answer 8

one note for a single syllable of text so that the text can be easily understood

Question 9

Neumatic Note Setting

Answer 9

several notes (two to four) for a single syllable of text

Question 10

Melismatic Note Setting

Answer 10

many notes for a single syllable of text, the most elaborate and fluid form of text setting

Question 11

Responsorial Singing

Answer 11

a method of performance, solo voice alternates with chorus, solo passages referred to as “verse” with choral passages referred to as “respond”

Question 12

Mass

Answer 12

the most important service in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, includes prayers, readings from the Bible, and a reenactment of the Last Supper, referred to as the Eucharist or Holy Communion, consists of texts that remain the same (Mass Ordinary) and texts that are variable (Mass Proper)

Question 13

Mass Ordinary

Answer 13

the unchanging prayers of the Mass regardless of the day of the liturgical calendar or location with music that would be different in each mass, components are: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Angus Dei

Question 14

Mass Proper

Answer 14

changing variable prayers of the Mass that are linked to the church calendar, Mass celebrants would vary both text and music depending on the day of the liturgical calendar, sections include: Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion

Question 15

Gradual

Answer 15

the fourth section of Mass Proper, using texts that are based primarily on the Psalms, generally melismatic and performed in a responsorial style