Adémar de Chabannes (989–1034) and Musical Literacy
James Grier
Abstract In the second half of 1027, Adémar de Chabannes contributed musical notation to production an elaborate liturgical manuscript (currently Paris, Bibliothèque nationale France, MS latin 1121) at scriptorium Saint Martial in Limoges. While doing so, he introduced innovative technique placing neumes strict alignment along vertical axis writing accordance with their relative pitch. The accurate heighting revolutionized teaching music Martial, and eventually throughout Aquitaine. Instead relying on rote communication melodies from more experienced singers, younger musicians could turn visual transmission chant through medium notation, now made transparent by use heighting. This article investigates intellectual context which innovation role tonaries (now equipped precise intervallic information) pedagogy, impact these devices practices eleventh century.
Journal of the American Musicological Society