oa The Evolution of Neumes into Square Notation in Chant Manuscripts

The earliest form of musical notation, neumes, uses discrete or connected symbols to represent one or several pitches in a musical gesture. The next major stage in notation’s development, square notes, presents the reader with a notation made up of variously shaped note-heads and stems or ligatures. The transition between these two forms of notation is the focal point of this study, which compares the virga, the clivis, and various alterations to represent liquescence, in three distinct geographical/scribal regions across Europe. Samples of notation were only taken from manuscripts that can be securely dated within a quarter-century, from 900 to 1500. Results of the comparison show that the transition from neumes to square notes begins first in northern France, at the beginning of the twelfth century. The Germanic and central European areas begin this transition slightly later. In all regions studied, the transition was complete by the end of the thirteenth century. Some reasons for this transition, including the role of the musical manuscript in liturgical culture and the function of notation for the singer, are discussed.