Que: Archaic Metrical Notation

Subject: Que: Archaic Metrical Notation
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 07:23 AM

Collecting "Antique" music, I frequently encounter "metrical notation", especially in the old Hymnals; "6s & 8s", "7s & 4s" etc.. A Minister Freind patiently explained all this to me years ago, but being a certifiable music-theory moron, it didn't quite "take", iffya know what I mean... I expect that this has been all written up somewhere, by now on the internet likely as not. Can anyone out there direct me to such a source so I can have another run at it - and hopefully learn something this time?

Subject: RE: Que: Archaic Metrical Notation
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 08:35 PM

I may be on the wrong tram altogether, but is it possible that you're looking at notation for Gregorian Chants? There are probably better sites, but there is an explanatory page for BarFly (a Mac based ABC notation program) which gives graphics and some explanation about this subject. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Que: Archaic Metrical Notation
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 08:35 PM

URL is http://rbu01.ed-rbu.mrc.ac.uk/BarFlyStuff/bfgregorian.html

Subject: RE: Que: Archaic Metrical Notation
From: GUEST,Bill W
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 09:17 PM

If you are refering to notations under the title such as 86,86 or L,M .These are descriptions of the verse patterns.The number of syllables in each line of words.They facilitate matching music to words.Useful when say ,you want to use a hymn for a special occasion and the congregation dosen't know the tune.You can usually match the words to one they do know. Bill W