Textbook of Gregorian Chant (1930) - MusicaSacra

6 Part One.
In Gregorian chant the intervals may include as many as eight
notes. They are called, according to the number of their notes,
intervals of a second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and octave
respectively.
By an intei-val of a second the distance of a tone or a semitone
is meant. An interval of a second may be major or minor, great
or small. It is major when the distance is that of a tone, minor
when only a semitone.
The teacher should point out which are the major and minor
seconds in the diatonic scale, even whe?i si is fiat.
The two following exercises should be sung through slowly until
the pupils can be quite sure of producing each note perfectly, and the
master must make them prolong the notes as he wishes :
. • •
• ••
a •
m
Lesson IV.
" • .
Perfect Production of the Notes. Singing Exercises
at Internals of a Second.
• • - •
The following exercises aim at obtaining precision and clearness
in the production of the notes as well as certainty in passing from
one to another.
The attack on each note ought to be direct and unhesitating,
without the least suspicion of hiatus, slurring or portamento,
Perfection will be achieved when each note comes forth clearly
and cleanly without any perceptible effort or roughness.
The teacher can help his pupils very greatly in obtaining this
result.
He ought always to accompany the chant with a rhythmical
wave of the hand as demonstrated in Chapter ix (Part II).
When shewing the pupils how to follow his example, he should
point out that the notes affected by the vertical episema or rhythmical
downbeat must be made to coincide exactly with the downward
motion of his hand.