Part 4/7:
Understanding Gregorian Chant
To illustrate the distinctive characteristics of Gregorian chant, a specific example titled Universi qui Te Exspectant was introduced. This chant encapsulates the essence of monophonic sacred music, highlighting how melody flows naturally with the text, devoid of specific rhythmic constraints.
With the popularity of Gregorian chant, monks and nuns in the ninth century began to innovate by developing a new genre called Organum. This musical form involved adding harmony to the existing melodic lines of Gregorian chant by incorporating higher and lower pitches, an early exploration into polyphonic textures.