plainsong
Unaccompanied church singing
Plainsong is the unaccompanied vocal music of the medieval Christian church, sung in unison without strict rhythm or meter.
The melodies follow the natural inflection of Latin texts, rising and falling with the words rather than fitting a fixed beat.
Gregorian chant is the most familiar form.
The term distinguishes this austere style from later polyphonic music with multiple voice parts.
Named for a pope
- antiphonAlternating liturgical song
- psalmodySacred vocal music practice
- versicleShort liturgical sentence
- introitOpening liturgical music
doxology · melisma · intonation · recitation · cantor · precentor · kontakion · alleluia
Religious song of praise
- psalmSacred scriptural song
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- prayerAddress to deity
sacred · reverence · piety · monastic · contemplation · meditation · spiritual · faith
Quantity of matter
- vespersEvening devotional service
- matinsLiturgical dawn devotions
- complineDay's final liturgy
- laudsExpresses high admiration
breviary · psalter · missal · lectionary · credo · offertory · communion · benediction
Untroubled and composed
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- austereSeverely simple and unadorned
solemn · reverent · hushed · peaceful · timeless · ancient · flowing · unhurried
System of written symbols
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- parchmentTreated hide for manuscripts
- vellumPrepared calfskin for writing
scriptorium · illumination · paleography · monastery · abbey · mode · ecclesiastical · Guido
Gregorian
Named for a pope
- antiphonAlternating liturgical song
- psalmodySacred vocal music practice
- versicleShort liturgical sentence
introit · doxology · melisma · intonation · recitation · cantor · precentor · kontakion · alleluia · gradual
hymn
Religious song of praise
prayer · sacred · reverence · piety · monastic · contemplation · meditation · spiritual · faith · sanctuary
mass
Quantity of matter
lauds · breviary · psalter · missal · lectionary · credo · offertory · communion · benediction · canonical
serene
Untroubled and composed
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
austere · solemn · reverent · hushed · peaceful · timeless · ancient · flowing · unhurried · devotional
notation
System of written symbols
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- parchmentTreated hide for manuscripts
vellum · scriptorium · illumination · paleography · monastery · abbey · mode · ecclesiastical · Guido · oral tradition
- vocal musicvocals, soprano, tenor, alto, baritone
- sacred musichymns, hymn, anthem, anthems, gospel
- ChantsGregorian chant, tribal chant, ritual chant, sacred chant, healing chant
- choral musicchoral music, choral works, choral arrangements, choral arrangement, choir arrangements
- church musicanthems, hymnal, masses, hymnbook, canticles
- Liturgical MusicGregorian chant, hymn, psalm, antiphon, canticle
plainsongpolyphony
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
counterpoint · harmony · part-singing · madrigal · fugue
plainsongcoloratura
Elaborate vocal ornamentation
opera · bel canto · grand opera · symphonic music · jazz improvisation
plainsongsecular music
Non-sacred musical works
popular song · drinking song · love ballad · dance music · court music