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Transcribing Gregorian chant

Gregorian chant can be transcribed into modern notation with a number of simple tweaks.

Stems. Stems can be left out altogether by \remove-ing the Stem_engraver from the Voice context:

\layout {
  ...
  \context {
    \Voice
      \remove "Stem_engraver"
  }
}

However, in some transcription styles, stems are used occasionally, for example to indicate the transition from a single-tone recitative to a fixed melodic gesture. In these cases, one can use either \override Stem #'transparent = ##t or \override Stem #'length = #0 instead, and restore the stem when needed with the corresponding \once \override Stem #'transparent = ##f (see example below).

Timing. For unmetered chant, there are several alternatives.

The Time_signature_engraver can be removed from the Staff context without any negative side effects. The alternative, to make it transparent, will leave an empty space in the score, since the invisible signature will still take up space.

In many cases, \set Score.timing = ##f will give good results. Another alternative is to use \\CadenzaOn and \CadenzaOff.

To remove the barlines, the radical approach is to \remove the Bar_engraver from the Staff context. Again, one may want to use \override BarLine #'transparent = ##t instead, if an occasional barline is wanted.

A common type of transcription is recitativic chant where the repeated notes are indicated with a single breve. The text to the recitation tone can be dealt with in two different ways: either set as a single, left-aligned syllable:

\include "gregorian.ly"
chant = \relative c' {
  \clef "G_8"
  c\breve c4 b4 a c2 c4  \divisioMaior
  c\breve c4 c f, f \finalis
}

verba = \lyricmode {
  \once \override LyricText #'self-alignment-X = #-1
  "Noctem quietam et" fi -- nem per -- fec -- tum
  \once \override LyricText #'self-alignment-X = #-1
  "concedat nobis Dominus" om -- ni -- po -- tens.
}
\score {
  \new Staff <<
  \new Voice = "melody" \chant
  \new Lyrics = "one" \lyricsto melody \verba
  >>
  \layout {
    \context {
      \Staff
      \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
      \remove "Bar_engraver"
      \override Stem #'transparent = ##t
    }
  }
}

[image of music]

This works fine, as long as the text doesn't span a line break. If that is the case, an alternative is to add hidden notes to the score, here in combination with changing stem visibility:

\include "gregorian.ly"
chant = \relative c' {
  \clef "G_8"
  \set Score.timing = ##f
  c\breve \override NoteHead #'transparent = ##t  c c c c c
  \revert NoteHead #'transparent
  \override Stem #'transparent = ##f \stemUp c4 b4 a
  \override Stem #'transparent = ##t c2 c4  \divisioMaior
  c\breve \override NoteHead #'transparent = ##t c c c c c c c
  \revert NoteHead #'transparent c4 c f, f \finalis
}

verba = \lyricmode {
  No -- ctem qui -- e -- tam et fi -- nem per -- fec -- tum
  con -- ce -- dat no -- bis Do -- mi -- nus om -- ni -- po -- tens.
}

\score {
  \new Staff <<
    \new Voice = "melody" \chant
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "melody" \verba
  >>
  \layout {
    \context {
      \Staff
      \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
      \override BarLine #'transparent = ##t
      \override Stem #'transparent = ##t
    }
  }
}

[image of music]

Another common situation is transcription of neumatic or melismatic chants, i.e. chants with a varying number of notes to each syllable. In this case, one would want to set the syllable groups clearly apart, usually also the subdivisions of a longer melisma. One way to achieve this is to use a fixed \time, e.g. 1/4, and let each syllable or note group fill one of these measures, with the help of tuplets or shorter durations. If the barlines and all other rhythmical indications are made transparent, and the space around the barlines is increased, this will give a fairly good representation in modern notation of the original.

To avoid that syllables of different width (such as “-ri” and “-rum”) spread the syllable note groups unevenly apart, the #'X-extent property of the LyricText object may be set to a fixed value. Another, more cumbersome way would be to add the syllables as \markup elements. If further adjustments are necessary, this can be easily done with s ‘notes’.

     
     spiritus = \relative c' {
       \time 1/4
       \override Lyrics.LyricText #'X-extent  = #'(0 . 3)
       d4 \times 2/3 { f8 a g } g a a4 g f8 e
       d4 f8 g g8 d f g a g f4 g8 a a4  s
       \times 2/3 { g8 f d } e f g a g4
     }
     
     spirLyr = \lyricmode {
       Spi -- ri -- _ _ tus  _ Do -- mi -- ni  _ re -- ple -- _ vit _
       or -- _ bem _  ter -- ra -- _ rum, al -- _ _ le -- _ lu
       -- _ ia.
     }
     \score {
       \new Staff <<
         \new Voice = "chant" \spiritus
         \new Lyrics = "one" \lyricsto "chant" \spirLyr
       >>
       \layout {
         \context {
           \Staff
           \remove "Time_signature_engraver"
           \override BarLine #'X-extent = #'(-1 . 1)
           \override Stem #'transparent = ##t
           \override Beam #'transparent = ##t
           \override BarLine #'transparent = ##t
           \override TupletNumber #'transparent = ##t
         }
       }
     }

[image of music]

See also

Andere Sprachen: español.