The NEUMES Project

NEUMES Transcription Primer

A Musicologist's Guide to Transcribing Western (Latin) Chant Notations to NEUMES Encoding, with NeumesXML Metadata

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http://purl.oclc.org/SCRIBE/NEUMES/help/Transcription_Primer_Western.htm

Latest Version:

http://purl.oclc.org/SCRIBE/NEUMES/help/Transcription_Primer_Western.htm

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Editor:

Debra Lacoste

Contributors:

Louis W. G. Barton

Debra Lacoste

Copyright © 2007, The University of Oxford.
All Rights Reserved. The copyright holders provide the content online as reference material for educational or cultural purposes. The content is provided "as is" without any warranty whatsoever. Commercial use of the content is prohibited except by express, written license.

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Abstract

This document, the "NEUMES Transcription Primer," is intended to provide chant musicologists and other interested scholars the tools and information required to both create and interpret transcriptions of western (i.e., Latin) medieval chant in NEUMES encoding. This primer outlines and describes the elements of a chant transcription, and provides examples of NEUMES character data and NeumesXML metadata alongside a sample transcription of the gradual verse "Dextera domini."

Status of this Document

This document is in draft form.

Table of Contents

1. Basic Concepts
   • 1.1. Neumes and Manuscripts
   • 1.2. Digital Transcription
   • 1.3. The "NEUMES Project"
   • 1.4. Some Benefits of Digital Transcription
2. Getting Started
   • 2.1. Materials Needed
   • 2.2. New to XML?: Some Tips for Beginners
3. The Chant Transcription
   • 3.1.1. Using Tags
   • 3.1.2. Defining the Melodic Gesture We Call a "Neume"
   • 3.2.1. The Encoding of Neumes
   • 3.2.2. Why Use Mnemonics?
   • 3.3.0. Transcribing "Dextera domini"
   • 3.3.1. Melodic Motion and Tone
   • 3.3.2. Ligation
   • 3.3.3. A Full Rendition
   • 3.3.4. Data-Entry Programme
4. Resources
   • 4.1. Notes to Transcribers - Regarding the Content
   • 4.2. Notes to Transcribers - Regarding the Digital Transcription
   • 4.3. Some XML Tips for Beginners
   • 4.4. A Sample Transcription - In Sections, with Source Images
5. Appendices
   • 5.1. A Sample Transcription - Complete
   • 5.2. Glossary
   • 5.3.1 Advanced Coding Topics: Headers (Declarations)
   • 5.3.2 Advanced Coding Topics: Manuscript Information
   • 5.3.3 Advanced Coding Topics: Transcription Information