Liturgical Music Tutorial now available

Tutorial for Learning Tones

The Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Liturgical Music and Translations recently announced that the first phase of its self-study tutorial for learning the eight tones is now available on the OCA web site.

The tutorial initially introduces the stikhera melodies for tones one through four in Common [L’vov-Bakhmetev Obikhod] and Kievan melodies.  Recorded choral demonstrations of the written examples for each tone are presented, including full (SATB) choir, and individual lines for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.  Tones five through eight will be made available in the immediate future.  Additional sections will introduce psalm verses, troparia, and kanons.

The scheme of the tutorial is to break down each tone and identify each of its musical phrases.  The sequence for the proper use of the melodic phrases is fully explained as well as the “formula” (intonation pattern, recitation pitch of the body of the phrase, and cadence) for each melodic line.  All phrases are illustrated with musical and textual examples.

The tutorial is being prepared under the direction of Prof. David Drillock, Department Chair.