Understanding Serbian Chant: An Analysis of the Eight Tones

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Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America

Central Church Liturgical Music Committee

presents

Understanding Serbian Chant

- The Eight Tones -

(Osmoglasnik)

Melodic Types, Characteristics

& Phrase Structure

For a basic understanding of Serbian chant the following PDF is provided which is both an introduction to Serbian chant and an aid in contextualizing the instructional materials found on the table below.

An Introduction to

SERBIAN CHANT (pdf)

The audio mp3 files below represent the work of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America - Central Church Liturgical Music Committee and are solely for use as an instructional aid in learning the chants.
The chants are sung by cantor Peter Drobac (Tenor) and Nikola Resanovic (Bass-Baritone).

HOW TO NAVIGATE:

Click on the PDF icon and text links on the table below to view the instructional materials and to listen to the associated audio mp3 examples &/or MIDI files.

Within each instructional PDF file you will find red highlighted text. Clicking on any RED highlighted text labeled "Melodic-Type" or "Audio link" will play an audio mp3 of the entire notated hymn. Clicking on any RED highlighted text labeled "Phrase" will play a MIDI version of that single phrase. Instructional information is contained within the text boxes which can be found in each PDF file. This information includes a tonal analysis, a structural analysis, comparative tables, performance suggestions and pointed text exercises. It is recommended that you download each pdf file and view it within your computer's pdf reader. In this way, when you activate the red letter links they will open in a separate window within your browser and you can continue to view the notation while listening to the audio or midi file.

Some General Observations about the Structure of the Hymns:

All text settings open with a series of either two or three (occasionally more) contrasting musical phrases.

These contrasting musical phrases are then repeated (usually in an alternating fashion) and modified according to the demands and the length of the specific text.

A final, distinctive melodic phrase (X) is typically used to terminate the hymn. This last phrase although generally contrasting in form often incorporates melodic elements which were heard in earlier phrases.

Phrase Structure Key for the Table below:

A – Any initial melodic phrase and subsequent identical phrase within a melodic type.
A', A"– Any melodic phrase subsequent to A which is similar but modified in nature.
B, C, etc. – Any melodic phrase subsequent to A which is generally contrasting in nature.
Ca, Bc, Ba etc. – Any phrase consisting of both contrasting material and material borrowed from an earlier phrase regardless of how that material might be disposed throughout the phrase. For example, the 'Ca' in Tone 1 is a contrasting phrase whose ending is the same as that of the opening phrase. The ‘Cb’ in Tone 7 on the other hand contains phrase ‘B’ materials in the first half of what is otherwise a contrasting phrase.

A1 A2; B1 B2; X1 X2; etc— Any two otherwise contrasting phrases that are commonly paired together but can also appear either as a single composite phrase or independently within a melodic type.

Instructions for the Table Below:

Click on the linked PDF icon to access instructional materials.
Click on the linked hymn text to listen to an audio rendition of the hymn.
Click on the corresponding linked phrase structure text to hear MIDI playback of each individual phrase.

Note: You can also access the audio and midi playback within each PDF by clicking on the RED texts. It is recommended that you do this after downloading the pdf and viewing it within your pdf reader application.

Disclaimer: Some of the audio MP3 files below, in particular the Type 1 melodies, are sung using the Baracki influenced style found in the Anthology of Serbian chant, while the accompanying analytical PDF's show the notation as taken from the Mokranjac influenced style of the Resanovic Osmoglasnik adaptation. In such cases the listener will hear noticeable discrepancies between the notation and what is actually heard in the audio files. Also, many of the audio files are sung in a key suited to the cantor's range and will be in a different transposition from those of the MIDI files which follow the notation exactly as written in the PDF's

Tone
Melodic Type

PDF
Style
Hymns

Audio MP3
Initial
Final
Range
Sample
Phrase Structure
MIDI

1
Type 1

Melismatic
Lord I Call;
The Praises.
C
(F-for
psalm
verse)
G
(f) G - C (d)
A, B, C, A', B', X
- All Phrases -
(for Lord I Call)

1
Type 2a

Syllabic
Troparion.mp3;
Kontakia; Aposticha;
Kathisma; Antiphons;
Canons;
Great Doxology.
C
G
(f) G - D (eb) A, B, Ca, B', Ca', B", Ca", X
- All Phrases -

(for the Resurrectional

Troparion)

1
Type 2b

Melismatic Beatitudes.

C
G
(f) G - F (g) A, B, Ca, B', D, X
- All Phrases -

(for the first Beatitude)

2
Type 1

Melismatic Lord I Call;
The Praises.

A
A
F - C (db)
A, B, C, A', B, X
- All Phrases -

(for Lord I Call)

2
Type 2
Syllabic Troparion.mp3;
Kontakia;
Kathisma.

A
F
(e) F - C
A, B, A', B', X
- All Phrases -

(for the Resurrectional

Troparion)

2
Type 3

Syllabic Aposticha; Antiphons;
Canons;
Great Doxology;
Beatitudes.
A(f)
F
(e) F - Bb (c)
A, B, C etc.. (or A, Bc etc)
- All Phrases -

(for the Great Doxology)

3
Type 1a

Melismatic Lord I Call;
The Praises;
Beatitudes.

A
F
C - C
A, B, C, A', B, X
- All Phrases -

(for Lord I Call)

3
Type 1b

Syllabic Troparion.mp3;
Aposticha;
Kathisma; Antiphons;
Canons;
Great Doxology.

A
F
C - C A, B, C, D, X
- All Phrases -

(for the Resurrectional

Troparion)

3
Type 2
Melismatic Glory...
Kontakion.mp3 (only)

G
F
F - C (d) A, A',
A, A', Ba, A", X1, X2
- All Phrases -

(for the Kontakion)

4
Type 1

Melismatic Lord I Call;
The Praises.

F
A
(f) G - C (eb)
A, B, C, B', X
- All Phrases -

(for Lord I Call)

4
Type 2
Syllabic Troparion.mp3;
Kontakia.

A
A
F - C
A, B, A', B', C, X
- All Phrases -

(for the Resurrectional

Troparion)

4
Type 3

Syllabic Aposticha; Kathisma
Antiphons; Canons
Great Doxology;
Beatitudes.
A
A
(f) G - C (d)
A, B, A', B', A", B", X
- All Phrases -

(for the first Beatitude)

5

plagal of 1
Type 1

Melismatic Lord I Call;
The Praises. G(f)
G
C - C A, B, C, Da, Ea, X
- All Phrases -

(for Lord I Call)

5

plagal of 1
Type 2
Syllabic Troparion.mp3;
Glory...
Kontakion.mp3;
Aposticha; Kathisma;
Antiphons; Canons;
Great Doxology;
Beatitudes. F(g)
G
(e) F - C (d)
A, B, C, A2, C ', X
- All Phrases -
Ab, Ab',
A1, A2, B, C, A2, X
- All Phrases -

(for the Resurrectional

Troparion and Kontakion)

6

plagal of 2

Type 1

Melismatic Lord I Call;
the Praises. C
C
(e) F - F
A, B, C, D, E, X
- All Phrases -

(for Lord I Call)

6

plagal of 2
Type 2
Syllabic Troparion.mp3;
Kontakia;
Aposticha; Kathisma;
Antiphons; Canons;
Beatitudes. F
A
F - C A, B, A', B', A", X
- All Phrases -

(for the Resurrectional

Troparion)

6

plagal of 2
Type 3

Syllabic Great Doxology;
F
F
(d) F - Bb (c)
A, A', B, etc...
- All Phrases -

(for the Great Doxology)

7

plagal of 3

Type 1a

Melismatic Lord I Call;
The Praises;
Beatitudes.
E(f)
F
C - C A, B, A', B', A", X
- All Phrases -

(for Lord I Call)

7

plagal of 3

Type 1b

Syllabic Troparion.mp3;
Glory...
Kontakion.mp3;
Prokeimenon.mp3;
Aposticha; Kathisma;
Antiphons; Canons;
Great Doxology.

E(f)
F
C - C A, B, Cb, B', X
- All Phrases -
A, A'
A, B, A', B', X
- All Phrases -
Ab, C
- All Phrases -

(for the Resurrectional

Troparion, Kontakion &
Prokiemenon)

8

plagal of 4

Type 1

Melismatic Lord I Call;
The Praises. F
F
(d) F - C (eb)
A, B, Ca, B, D, X
- All Phrases -

(for Lord I Call)

8

plagal of 4
Type 2
Syllabic Troparion.mp3;
Glory...
Kontakion.mp3. F
F
C - C
A, B, Ca, B', X
- All Phrases -
A, A'
A, B, Ca, B', Ca', X
- All Phrases -

(for the Resurrectional

Troparion & Kontakion)

8

plagal of 4
Type 3a

Syllabic Aposticha; Kathisma;
Antiphons;
Great Doxology.

F
F
F - D (eb)
A, B, C, A', X
- All Phrases -

(for the first Aposticha)

8

plagal of 4
Type 3b

Melismatic
Beatitudes. F F F - F
A, B, B', A, B", Ca, B'''
- All Phrases -

(for the first Beatitude)

8

plagal of 4

Type 4

Syllabic Canons.
F (c)
F
C - C (d)
A, B, (A', Cb, X) refrain
- All Phrases -

(for "My soul Magnifies")

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Tone	Melodic Type PDF	Style	Hymns Audio MP3	Initial	Final	Range	Sample Phrase Structure MIDI
1	Type 1	Melismatic	Lord I Call; The Praises.	C (F-for psalm verse)	G	(f) G - C (d)	A, B, C, A', B', X - All Phrases - (for Lord I Call)
1	Type 2a	Syllabic	Troparion.mp3; Kontakia; Aposticha; Kathisma; Antiphons; Canons; Great Doxology.	C	G	(f) G - D (eb)	A, B, Ca, B', Ca', B", Ca", X - All Phrases - (for the Resurrectional Troparion)
1	Type 2b	Melismatic	Beatitudes.	C	G	(f) G - F (g)	A, B, Ca, B', D, X - All Phrases - (for the first Beatitude)
2	Type 1	Melismatic	Lord I Call; The Praises.	A	A	F - C (db)	A, B, C, A', B, X - All Phrases - (for Lord I Call)
2	Type 2	Syllabic	Troparion.mp3; Kontakia; Kathisma.	A	F	(e) F - C	A, B, A', B', X - All Phrases - (for the Resurrectional Troparion)
2	Type 3	Syllabic	Aposticha; Antiphons; Canons; Great Doxology; Beatitudes.	A(f)	F	(e) F - Bb (c)	A, B, C etc.. (or A, Bc etc) - All Phrases - (for the Great Doxology)
3	Type 1a	Melismatic	Lord I Call; The Praises; Beatitudes.	A	F	C - C	A, B, C, A', B, X - All Phrases - (for Lord I Call)
3	Type 1b	Syllabic	Troparion.mp3; Aposticha; Kathisma; Antiphons; Canons; Great Doxology.	A	F	C - C	A, B, C, D, X - All Phrases - (for the Resurrectional Troparion)
3	Type 2	Melismatic	Glory... Kontakion.mp3 (only)	G	F	F - C (d)	A, A', A, A', Ba, A", X1, X2 - All Phrases - (for the Kontakion)
4	Type 1	Melismatic	Lord I Call; The Praises.	F	A	(f) G - C (eb)	A, B, C, B', X - All Phrases - (for Lord I Call)
4	Type 2	Syllabic	Troparion.mp3; Kontakia.	A	A	F - C	A, B, A', B', C, X - All Phrases - (for the Resurrectional Troparion)
4	Type 3	Syllabic	Aposticha; Kathisma Antiphons; Canons Great Doxology; Beatitudes.	A	A	(f) G - C (d)	A, B, A', B', A", B", X - All Phrases - (for the first Beatitude)
5 plagal of 1	Type 1	Melismatic	Lord I Call; The Praises.	G(f)	G	C - C	A, B, C, Da, Ea, X - All Phrases - (for Lord I Call)
5 plagal of 1	Type 2	Syllabic	Troparion.mp3; Glory... Kontakion.mp3; Aposticha; Kathisma; Antiphons; Canons; Great Doxology; Beatitudes.	F(g)	G	(e) F - C (d)	A, B, C, A2, C ', X - All Phrases - Ab, Ab', A1, A2, B, C, A2, X - All Phrases - (for the Resurrectional Troparion and Kontakion)
6 plagal of 2	Type 1	Melismatic	Lord I Call; the Praises.	C	C	(e) F - F	A, B, C, D, E, X - All Phrases - (for Lord I Call)
6 plagal of 2	Type 2	Syllabic	Troparion.mp3; Kontakia; Aposticha; Kathisma; Antiphons; Canons; Beatitudes.	F	A	F - C	A, B, A', B', A", X - All Phrases - (for the Resurrectional Troparion)
6 plagal of 2	Type 3	Syllabic	Great Doxology;	F	F	(d) F - Bb (c)	A, A', B, etc... - All Phrases - (for the Great Doxology)
7 plagal of 3	Type 1a	Melismatic	Lord I Call; The Praises; Beatitudes.	E(f)	F	C - C	A, B, A', B', A", X - All Phrases - (for Lord I Call)
7 plagal of 3	Type 1b	Syllabic	Troparion.mp3; Glory... Kontakion.mp3; Prokeimenon.mp3; Aposticha; Kathisma; Antiphons; Canons; Great Doxology.	E(f)	F	C - C	A, B, Cb, B', X - All Phrases - A, A' A, B, A', B', X - All Phrases - Ab, C - All Phrases - (for the Resurrectional Troparion, Kontakion & Prokiemenon)
8 plagal of 4	Type 1	Melismatic	Lord I Call; The Praises.	F	F	(d) F - C (eb)	A, B, Ca, B, D, X - All Phrases - (for Lord I Call)
8 plagal of 4	Type 2	Syllabic	Troparion.mp3; Glory... Kontakion.mp3.	F	F	C - C	A, B, Ca, B', X - All Phrases - A, A' A, B, Ca, B', Ca', X - All Phrases - (for the Resurrectional Troparion & Kontakion)
8 plagal of 4	Type 3a	Syllabic	Aposticha; Kathisma; Antiphons; Great Doxology.	F	F	F - D (eb)	A, B, C, A', X - All Phrases - (for the first Aposticha)
8 plagal of 4	Type 3b	Melismatic	Beatitudes.	F	F	F - F	A, B, B', A, B", Ca, B''' - All Phrases - (for the first Beatitude)
8 plagal of 4	Type 4	Syllabic	Canons.	F (c)	F	C - C (d)	A, B, (A', Cb, X) refrain - All Phrases - (for "My soul Magnifies")