Research and Materials Project #2:  Outline
November 15, 1994  Carolyn Jean Smith

Topic: The Development of Notation in the Middle Ages 

I. Introduction

	A. Thesis statement-- From the 10th through the 14th centuries, Western
	musical notation developed from extremely rudimentary memory aids into 
	a system that represented defined rhythms and pitches.
	
	B. Need for method of notation as active repertoire kept
	growing.

II. Earliest Notation Systems

	A. Odo of Cluny and the monochord.
	B. Guido of Arezzo and the hexachord as a way to memorize music.
	C. Daseian notation.
		1. A symbol for each pitch (no staff lines).
		2. Staff lines with syllables of text written between them.
	E. Symbols for each melodic interval (Hermannus Contractus).
	
III. Neumatic notation.

	A. Cheironomic notation.

		1. A neum is a graphic sign indicating melodic movement.
			a. Began as writing the general shapes of the melodic 
			line using accent and punctuation marks.
			b. In campo aperto (no staff lines).
		2. Basic rules (acc. to Briggs).
			a. all notes short except last which is long.
			b. no pause between syllables of a word.
			c. pauses at ends of distinctions (phrases) must be 
			marked.
			d. Neum has 1 overall accent--always on first note.

	B. Diastematic notation.

		1. Heighted neumes.
		2. Additions of colored lines (red=F, green/yellow=C).
		3. Guido of Arezzo (Prologusin Antiphonarium).
		4. Free rhythm (Codex Calixtinus).

IV. Square Notation.
	
	A. More defined neumes for clarity.
	B. Rhythmic modes.
		1. Triple meter.
		2. Lengths of notes beginning to be defined.
			a. perfection.
			b. imperfection.
			c. alteration.

V. Pre-Franconian Notation.

	A. Notational distinction between long and brevis.
	B. Introduction of semibrevis.
	C. Ligatures.
		1. sine propriete.
		2. sine perfection.
		3. cum apposita propriete.
	D. From divisio modi to rests of different lengths.
	E. Establishment of brevis as the musical beat.
	
VI. Franconian Notation.

	A. Franco of Cologne.
	B. Unambiguous notational system.
	C. Types of Notes.
		1. Simple figures.
			a. Long.
				i. perfect.
				ii. imperfect.
				iii. duplex.
			b. Brevis.
				i. recta.
				ii. altera.
			c. Semibrevis.
				i. major.
				ii. minor.
		2. Ligatures
			a. Starting note.
				i. cum proprietate.
				ii. sine proprietate.
				iii. cum opposita proprietate.
			b. Ending note.
				i. cum perfection.
				ii. sine perfection.

VII.  Conclusion--over the course of the Middle Ages, notation went through
several stages of development, resulting in clear, defined rules for the
representation of pitches and rhythm.