Textbook of Gregorian Chant (1930) - MusicaSacra

12 Part One.
fr
a. t. t.
a a a
The following exercise should be sung through slowly at first, as
if each note were accompanied by the dot of prolongation which
doubles its value; then the teacher, marking the rhythm in the
way described above, should accelerate the tempo little by little,
until a lively flowing style of execution is obtained. It is a good
thing to vary the rhythmic interpretation so as to accustom the
pupils to all the fine shades of rhythm.
Begin by singing on one vowel only, then produce all the five
in succession, or practise them in any order which the teacher finds
best.
a. t. a. t.
i
A . . .
E . . .
I . . .
O . . .
U . . .
a. t. t.
Before proceeding any further it would be well to go back over
all the former exercises vocalising them in the manner just
explained.
Lesson VII,
Smooth7iess of Rendering. Hints. Rules. Exercises.
It is of capital importance that the execution of plainsong
should be perfectly smooth, as otherwise the liturgical chant loses
all its beauty, grace and transparency. To achieve this perfect
legato it is first of all necessary to group the notes by twos and
threes as indicated in the preceding exercises; then to pass from
one group to another and even distinctly from one note to another
of the same group but with the sound so sustained and flowing on.