MUS 348 Test I, September 19, 2015
answers 12 should have been 17
1. How many “parts” are there in a psalm tone? Why? number: 10
two
There are two parts to a Hebrew psalm verse. 2
why: 6
2. What is the tenor/ dominant/ reciting tone in a psalm tone?
the pitch of a psalm tone on which most of a psalm is sung 1 11
3. Give a good definition of psalm tone. Use information contained in the previous two questions in your definition, as
well as other necessary information. Do not include notational aspects found in modern chant books.
A psalm tone, a type of chant, is a melodic formula or pattern to which a psalm is sung. A psalm tone is in two
parts, corresponding to the two halves of a Hebrew psalm verse. Most of the text of a psalm is sung to a single
pitch, referred to as a reciting tone/tenor/dominant, with punctuation or inflection denoted by a rise or fall of
pitch. There are common eight psalm tones, and an additional psalm tone with two tenors. 5
2-3 3-3 4-2 5-2 6-3
4. For extra credit, other than the body of Hebrew literature sung to a psalm tone that you named in your definition in the
previous question, what other liturgical texts were sung to a psalm tone?
canticles
5. For extra credit, according to the “psalm tone” entry in the Harvard Dictionary of Music, fourth edition, read by Sam in
class this past Tuesday, when (what century) was the first attempt at notating the psalm tones?
late eighth century (non-extant) 8th-2
10th-4
OR
a tenth century treatise
6. How does an antiphon that precedes and succeeds the singing of a psalm differ from a psalm tone?
An antiphon has more melodic shape or contour than a psalm tone. 1 12
7. Gleaned from the web link that was sent to you yesterday (Wednesday) via email, what Biblical passage seems to be
the reason for the establishment of the various Offices/Hours, or, from what part of the Bible does the idea of the
Offices/Hours come?
Psalm 119; the source identifies Psalm 118, but present number is 119. 1
118/119- 3
118/118:164-4
118/118:62118/118:164 and 62-2
8. Who came up with the Rule that set down the daily life of a Benedictine monk? This figure is credited with founding
the monastery at Monte Cassino, Italy, in the sixth century.
Benedict of Nursia 1
10
9. My area of interest for my research project (paper) is:
Extra credit.
What Christian ordinance/sacrament is observed at a Medieval (and contemporary) Mass? That is not part of the
Offices/Hours.
Lord’s Supper 2/Eucharist 2/Communion 1
What is the label of the first genre of polyphony in Western Music?
organum 12
In the simple version of the genre you identified in the previous question, and that we sang at the end of class on Tuesday,
what is the interval of pitches sung with a chant melody?
fifth 11(12)
What is the other interval improvised with a chant melody in the earliest, simplest version of the genre you named two
questions above?
fourth 9
octave 2
What is contained in Musica enchiriadis? What is the date of that treatise?
the first documentation of organum; late ninth century
11
10