How to Learn Gregorian Chant
Gregorian chant is the ancient liturgical music of the Catholic Church. Passed down through oral tradition, it is now available in notated forms, albeit somewhat different from common notation. Chant is best learned in a choir setting led by a knowledgeable choir director; many cathedrals in major American cities have such ensembles open to parishioners. There are also a number of self-teaching methods available.
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Instructions
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Learn the terminology associated with Gregorian chant. Common terms include "final," the last note of a chant; "dominant," a particular chant's reciting tone, which is repeated frequently within the chant; and "mode," which indicates the collection of pitches used in a particular chant.
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Practice the modes of Gregorian chant. The most important modes to know are the Dorian, Phyrgian, Lydian and Mioxlydian modes (see Resources). Learn the modal scales associated with each mode and practice singing each mode.
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Learn to read Gregorian chant notation, called square notation, using the tutorial from Cecelia Schola (see Resources). If you have a piano, check your pitch by playing while you sing.
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Join a choir that sings Gregorian chant. Singing with a group will help you improve your reading and singing skills quickly (see Resources).
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit sanctamissa.org
