1. Pitch signs

1. basic symbols

a. virga (relatively higher)

b. signs for relatively lower

1) tractulus (=Laon uncinus)

2) punctum

3) gravis

2. combinations of the basic symbols

a. two-pitch signs

1) clivis

2) pes

b. three-pitch signs

1) porrectus

2) torculus

3) climacus

4) scandicus

c. more than three pitches

1) porrectus flexus

2) pes subbipunctis

3) scandicus flexus

4) torculus resupinus

 

 

2. Signs that have both a pitch and a rhythmic (or expressive) signification

1. signs derived from the apostrophe, indicating repercussions at the unison

a. apostropha

b. distropha

c. tristropha

d. trigon

e. bivirga

f. trivirga

 

 

 

 

B. Signs that have both a pitch and a rhythmic (or expressive) signification, con't.

2. signs derived from the oriscus, indicating a strong pull towards the subsequent note

(usually a descent following a repercussed unison)

a. oriscus

b. pressus

c. virga strata

d. salicus

e. pes quassus

f. pes stratus

3. signs derived from the question mark, indicating a light ascending passing note, often

at a half step

a. quilisma (or rather quilisma-pes)

b. quilismatic scandicus

c. quilismatic salicus

 

3. Auxiliary signs

1. episemata - indicate lengthening

2. letters (alphabetical signs) may indicate

a. lengthening

b. shortening

c. information clarifying the pitch interval

1) e(qualiter) - unison

2) s(ursum), a(ltius), l(evate) - a larger upward skip

3) i(nferius), i(usum), d(eprimatur) - a larger downward skip

 

4. Modifications in the way the neume is written

1. modifications with rhythmic significance

a. tractulus-punctum

b. quadratus 1

c. neumatic break

2. modifications with intervallic significance

3. modifications with phonetic significance - liquescence