Punctum

The punctum (of Latin punctum , puncture, not, of pungo I bore) is the simplest Neume in notation Grégorien. It corresponds to an isolated note.

The punctum also appears in the notation of neumes made up, to generally indicate neumes Subpunctis or Praepunctis. In these same positions, the Punctum inclinatum is a form in rhombus used in the Gregorian square notation of neumes composed, which on the other hand is never insulated.

Origin

The grave accent of the accentuated notation was transformed graphically into small horizontal feature more or less reduced to a point, of which was born at the same time the punctum and the broader tractulus (of Latin, reduction in tract , something of drawn in length, traho to draw), which is in fact a épisémé punctum . The two forms are quite distinct in the cursive notations from St Gall and Laon, which one can see in the Graduale Triplex , but are not always distinguished by épisèmes in the editions from Solesme.

Melody interpretation

When it is alone on a syllable, the punctum is opposed like notes serious in the melody movement, in opposition to the acuter Virga.

Rhythmic interpretation

  • the punctum has a light, neutral value. The corresponding notes are based in a collective movement which can thus be fast.
  • Conversely, the tractulus has a full syllabic value (it is the épisémée version of the punctum), and each note of the movement must be stated in its individuality, therefore more slowly.
The series are generally homogeneous, but one meets sometimes mixed descents where the tractulus mark end of a incidental clause (and in some manuscripts is even épisémé). Conversely, one encounters certain cases of the clivis subpuctum , where the first two points of a descent are épisémés tractulus , and the remainder has a light value of punctum .

It is not necessary to double the duration of a punctum compared to the tractulus : for a basic rate/rhythm " limite" about 150 notes per minutes, a light deceleration (120/min) proposes the individuality of the notes, whereas a light acceleration (180/min) proposes the overall movement. While playing on both sides of this limit, it is possible to restore these rhythmic nuances without breaking the legato overall rhythmic.

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