23 January 2011

Neglected Rubric

Altar Book, p. xx:

"Any psalm can be sung to any tone.  It is best, however, that the tone, which can range from cheerful and bright to somber and austere, be appropriate to the text."

My interpretation of this rubric:

More towards cheerful and bright - A-F. I, J
More towards somber and austere - G-H, K

I'd also add that to me the simplest tones are these:

A, D, E, G, H, and I.

P.S.  It would have been a great service if LSB had noted which Psalms end up having an even number of divisions, so that the double-Psalm tones could gain wider currency.  I have noted where they occur in Treasury; that doesn't help for Introits and such.

6 comments:

Jon said...

Neglected in the fact that Psalms aren't sung? Or are people using tones that don't fit the text?

William Weedon said...

I meant that sometimes the psalm tones are chosen without regard to the words they convey, so the second.

Unknown said...

Pr. Weedon,

My question: What are the origins of the tonal system as prescribed in the LSB? Are they based on gregorian or are they modern renditions with very little adaptations from antiquity?

Also, aren't the settings of the psalter in the Brotherhood Prayer Book Gregorian or Sarum? Why aren't those in more widespread use? Just curious.

Anonymous said...

Chanting the Psalms is best when
the parish choir does it. Our pastor
admits he can not chant and does not
what to make the worship service
focus on his lack of ability.

Anonymous said...

Actually,

Happy = A, B, C, D, I, J
Sad = E, F, G. H, K

FWIW,

Viekerhaus

IggyAntiochus said...

For those who may not be familiar with double tones, when there is an odd number of verses the last half of the tone is repeated. To avoid confusion in the congregation, perhaps the verses can be sung antiphonally between choir and cantor, cantor and pastor, pastor and choir, etc.