How to chant the psalms - The Byzantine Forum

You are not logged in. [Log In] www.byzcath.org » Forums » Mysteries: The Life of Worship » The Kliros » How to chant the psalms

Newest Members

Cavaradossi, Roman Interloper, ftbond, NitaMacdonald1930, SOL, etomaria, Kostyantyn, Benny, Ivanov325, DocH, andria, Joe Smith, CanuckK8, AJG80, gzt
4464 Registered Users

Who's Online

10 registered (Irish Melkite, Peter J, StuartK, Curious Joe, Sbdn. John, antv, Deacon El, 3 invisible), 218 Guests and 4 Spiders online.

Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod

Latest Photos

Hierarchial Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral OCA SF

Easter Sunday - Pascha - Velik Den- St. Michael's, Binghamton,NY

Forum Stats

4464 Members
26 Forums
30150 Topics
373661 Posts

Max Online: 1087 @ 07/16/07 01:09 PM

Topic Options

#225231 - 03/01/07 12:18 AM How to chant the psalms
Sophia Wannabe Member Registered: 06/02/02 Posts: 454 Loc: Phoenix	The way opening psalm of vespers is chanted on the CDs of the revised liturgy is different from the way we have chanted in the past. Specifically, the chanting on the CDs is very evenly metered. In my parish we have sung it in a more fluid style, more or less as one would speak the lines. Is there a right and a wrong way to chant the psalms, or is either method acceptable?
Top

#225346 - 03/01/07 09:57 PM Re: How to chant the psalms [Re: Sophia Wannabe]
PhilYevics Moderator Registered: 07/03/03 Posts: 55 Loc: Scranton, PA	The following is copied from pp. 5-6 of "The Cantor's Companion". I think it addresses Sophie's concern, and it struck me the first time I read it as being nicely phrased. The rhythm of Carpathian chant is essentially that of �sung speech�. The value or duration of a whole note, half note, quarter note, and eighth note are in proportion to each other. A half note is sung half as long as a whole note. A quarter note is sung half as long as a half note. An eighth note is sung half as long as a quarter note. However, the cantor is to sing as if speaking the text, in neither a rushed way nor a long and drawn out manner. When the singing moves back and forth between the clergy, lector, and faithful, the chant should flow as in a conversation. This is the reason for the lack of time signatures in notated chant; the rhythm of the singing is natural and based on the text, rather than a fixed, regular �beat.�
Top

#225660 - 03/06/07 12:06 AM Re: How to chant the psalms [Re: PhilYevics]
Orthodox Pyrohy Forum Keilbasa Sleuth Member Registered: 01/17/05 Posts: 1502 Loc: In the Alleghenies, the mother...	Yup, the link reflects how chant should be done. With the appropriate up and down at the appropriate part of the verse. But practice it before the Vespers/etc.. so you get a feeling of how you want to sing it so it doesn't sound metered and choppy. It's a challenge in the beginning especially if you are used to choral singing.
Top

Previous Topic

Index

Next Topic

Moderator: Alice, Father Deacon Ed, theophan

The Byzantine Forum provides message boards for discussions focusing on Eastern Christianity (though discussions of other topics are welcome). The views expressed herein are those of the participants and may or may not reflect the teachings of the Byzantine Catholic or any other Church. The Byzantine Forum and the www.byzcath.org site exist to help build up the Church but are unofficial, have no connection with any Church entity, and should not be looked to as a source for official information for any Church. Contents copyright - 1996-2012. All rights reserved.