Gregorian Chant Psalm Tones « The Recovering Choir Director - Gregorian Chant & Catholic sacred music

Gregorian Chant Psalm Tones

The website of the Benedictine Order has made available, in GIF format, the Gregorian psalm tones. While the technical jargon surrounding accents, cadences, etc., can be confusing, the melodic simplicity of the psalm tones relative to most antiphon melodies found in the Graduals is self-evident. With a fair amount of repetition, many people can take ownership of these melodies regardless of the text (or language) assigned to them.

By setting the antiphons found in the Graduale Romanum to one of these psalm tones, one can make singing them much more realistic for a congregation. And of course, harmonization and accompaniment are possible as well.

Posted 11.19.2003
by Aristotle Esguerra
3 comments.
Filed under: Gregorian Chant; Liturgical Music on Paper.

3 Comments

Thank you for posting this and I ask forgiveness for the simple-minded question that follows. How exactly does one use this for a psalm? How do you create the ‘response’? (First and last measures?) For the ones that have multiple endings, do you pick whichever one you like or are there (musical) rules? What if the line you are singing isn’t as long as the musical phrase given? Can you tell that I am an unsophisticated ninny?
If answering this is too much of a pain, could you point me to a resource (electronic or print) that would help?
Bless you.

Jenny
11.20.2003 @ 2:59 pm #

I completely agree that with only a little repetition a congregation would be able to get the hang of these. What’s also nice is that these chants also lend themselves very well to private devotions. In fact, encouraging congregants to use these on a not-only-on-Sunday basis would facilitate learning.

Hugh
11.20.2003 @ 3:49 pm #

Dear Sir,

I am looking for one copy of Carlo Rossini’s Parish Mass No. 3 to be done in our parish at the Latin Mass.

If you have any information about where I can find it, please reply.

Sincerely, E. Cutolo

E. Cutolo
12.19.2005 @ 1:05 pm #

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