Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

CHANTING is what may be termed a species of singing, or "Reading in tune." Chants are a limited number of notes, to which are intended to be sung, Psalms, the verses of which (unlike those of Metrical Hymns) are of an unlimited number of words.

Chants are divided into parts or strains, containing four and six notes alternately. A "Single" Chant is divided into two parts or strains, the first of which is subdivided into three bars, and the second into four. "" "Double Chants are of the same construction, only double the length of single ones. The verses of each Psalm are also divided into two parts; and, according to the present arrangement, each part or strain in a Chant requires one part of a verse, which is divided by a double bar (||), thus:—

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

FOR he hath done marvel- lous things.

The "Bars" or "upright lines" will be found to correspond to the bars of the music; the words between the bars being also divided by a dot() fixing the words or syllables to be sung to each note in the bar.

The first note in each part of a Chant is called the "Chanting" or "Reciting" note, to which note all the words as far as the word or syllable printed in CAPITAL letters are to be sung.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

In the above it will be seen that the word or syllable to be rested upon in the first strain is on the syllable UN- (in UN-to); and, in the

second strain, on the word CAUSE. In both the above strains will be found a word or syllable immediately succeeding the Reciting word, and printed in Italics. In all verses where this occurs the Reciting note must be made into two notes, a dotted minim and a crotchet, and the word in Italics sung to the crotchet.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

for the number of notes in the strain, a dash (— ) has been made use of to continue the preceding word as many notes as is necessary to complete the sentence.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

In reciting long sentences, let not the words be too hurriedly run over, but repeated in a clear, intelligible, and devotional manner. This is indispensable to good Chanting, and is a quality easily attained by a little private practice.

The rules suggested by the Rev. J. A. LATROBE are excellent :"Pronounce each syllable distinctly, so that you may not only understand yourselves, but be understood by others. Avoid singing the first part of the clause in too great haste. The very design of the one long note, upon which the first part runs, is to afford time for the steady and clear pronunciation of each syllable and word; and, for this purpose, the Organist should vary its duration according to the length of the verse.' "Remarks on Chanting," by Mr. J. GRAY, of York.

To facilitate this, the use of the "pause" () has been introduced, on which a short breathing is required. The benefit of this will be observed not only in the breaking of long sentences, but also in giving time for proper pronunciation.

In the present edition also has been introduced the "piano" and "forte" signs, on the margin of each page. By the observance of these, a good effect will be obtained, especially if the Organist adapt his composition to the power indicated. The following are the terms principally used :—

[blocks in formation]

When Double Chants are used, the latter half of the Chant must be repeated where the verses are of an unequal number. In places where the Doxology is not preferred at the end of a Psalm, a suitable conclusion may be formed by repeating the "Amen" to the last two notes of the Chant.

The terms "Major and Minor" are only indications of the sentiments of each Psalm, which may, perhaps, serve as a guide to the Choir-Leader in the choice of a suitable Chant.

It is the custom in some chapels for " Choirs" to select the Psalm for Chanting, which, however, should not be the case. One of the objects here aimed at is to provide variety enough for the "Minister" to choose "according to his subject."

It has been the desire of the Author in the publication of this work to facilitate the art of Chanting, and thereby enable the whole congregation to join in this harmonious and sacred mode of worship. If this should be accomplished by a moderate degree of care and attention to the instructions given, he will feel in no small measure compensated for his labour.

The Author cannot conclude these remarks without expressing his thanks to the Rev. C. WILLIAMS and Mr. W. H. HARGREAVES (of Accrington), the Rev. W. CHAMBERS, and other friends, who have so kindly assisted him in the promotion of the work.

T. H. F.

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
« AnteriorContinuar »