The emergence of a medieval pitch concept
Standley Howell
ABSTRACT The ninth century witnessed a fundamental change in the way Western musicians thought about music. Before Carolingians assimilated ancient music theory, they had no functional concept of how intervals between pitches scale differed from one another and those differences affected melodic structure. transition to interval-based thinking may be traced writings first half Aurelian Réôme's mid-century Musica disciplina quotes Boethius, Cassiodorus other authors, but fails make sense what say intervals. second describes rise fall chant melodies without reference Treatises later (the Enchiriadis treatises, Hucbald's ) are treat terms individual explain patterns whole tones semitones define modes scales. However, an early draft enchiriadis , Inchiriadon still displays awareness role that played. A parallel evolution occurred notation. Neumes, which outline direction not precise intervals, can documented quarter likely older. They lack pitch content because who invented them lacked conceptual framework for understanding pitch. Pitched notations do appear until late their use is confined examples theory treatises.
Plainsong & Medieval Music