The Teaching Methods of Ecclesiastical Music – Psaltic Art (10th-19th centuries)
The Teaching Methods of Ecclesiastical Music – Psaltic Art (10th-19th centuries)

Summary/Abstract: The Psaltic Art since the introduction of the written system of musical notation (10th century) is taught by great figures of Compositors and Masters. Even after the Fall in non- Ottomans occupied areas of the former Byzantine Empire (Crete, Cyprus, Mount Athos, Sinai, Serbia) continues to survive, to flourish and evolve. The continuous presence of the millennium old, written Byzantine musical culture was accompanied by parallel efforts to find ways of teaching and applying the Chanting Art. Methods of teaching music have thus appeared, combining the theoretical with the practical aspects of learning. The theoretical texts are divided into two categories: a. in ´Protheories of the Papadike´ b. the actual theoretical writings. Before finalization of the text of the Prοtheories in a common tradition, as we know from the majority of manuscripts, we have very important ´Methods´ of the singes beginning with the oldest list of singes (10th century). Here, in chronological order, the methods of the ´theses´ (formulas) of: the Protopsaltes Ioannis Glykis (early 14th century), Ioannis Koukouzelis (1st quarter of the 14th century) known as ´the Mega Ison´, Xenos Koronis Protopsaltes (1st half of the 14th century.) Gregorios Bounis Alyates (around the time of the fall of Constantinople), priest Ioannis Plousiadinos (died around 1500) etc. During the Byzantine and Postbyzantine period we have some significant theoretical writings, whose conclusion was the reform of three Teachers (Chrysanthos – Gregorios – Chourmouzios) in1814 in Constantinople and he theoretical work of which, has been taken up by Chrysanthos, with two books. The appearance of Music Printing helped to establish and spread a common system of musical writing and reading of Byzantine music.

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