Neume

system of medieval musical notation

A Neume is a way to write music. Neumes were mainly in the Middle Ages before the modern system of musical notation was developed. Sometimes they are also called neum in English.[1][2][3] Neumes are different from modern notation:

  • There is no exact idea of how high or low tune should be sung; there are only indications.
  • Neumes do not show rhythm, extra symbols are used to show rhythm or intonation
A sample of the Kýrie Eléison (Orbis Factor) from the Liber Usualis.

Today, neumes are still used for some chants in Christian Churches, especially Catholic and Eastern Orthodox ones

References

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  1. Dom Gregory Sunol, Textbook of Gregorian Chant According to the Solesmes Method 2003 ISBN 0766172414, 9780766172418
  2. Chants of the Church
  3. Liber Usualis