neumatic

The so-called neumatic notation (from meuma, a nod), which probably in the eighth century found its way from the Orient into the Latin Church, where it suffered many modifications, had mainly a rhythmical purpose, and was intended to serve only in a general way a diastematic end, i.e. an indication of the intervals of the melody.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7: Gregory XII-Infallability 1840-1916 1913

In the course of time as the melodies were transcribed into the new notation, the neumatic signs formerly in use evolved into our present notes, and the letters F and C became the clefs of later times.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7: Gregory XII-Infallability 1840-1916 1913

In accordance with the second view, however, we should feel inclined to put the beginning of neumatic writing about the eighth century.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913

It is clear then, that at no time could the melody be read absolutely from the neumatic notation.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913

The neumatic notation of Plain Chant is first met with in MSS. of the ninth century and, with slight modifications, is to be seen in liturgical books issued to-day.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913

His great improvement consisted in adding two more lines to the existing ones, in utilizing the spaces between the lines themselves and in indicating, by combining the letters of the alphabet with the neumatic signs, not only the various intervals of the melody, but also its rhythm.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7: Gregory XII-Infallability 1840-1916 1913

This he published (Brussels, 1851), adding to it his own key to the neumatic notation, and a brief historical and critical account of the document.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 8: Infamy-Lapparent 1840-1916 1913

An attempt to indicate the intervals with greater precision was made by placing the neumatic signs at a lesser or greater distance from the words comprising the text, and, in order to obtain more exact results from this proceeding, the copyist would draw a line upon which he would place one of the letters of the alphabet and from which he would measure the distance of the melodic steps above or below.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7: Gregory XII-Infallability 1840-1916 1913

Alleluias, and the Tracts of the whole year, in the ancient neumatic notation (a sort of musical stenography), together with the so-called

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 8: Infamy-Lapparent 1840-1916 1913

Hucbald made successful efforts to improve and supplement the neumatic notation in use in his time, which indicated the rhythm of the melody, but left the singer dependent on tradition for its intervals.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7: Gregory XII-Infallability 1840-1916 1913