Armenian music notation

Armenian music notation primarily uses a system called Khaz, a unique notation that dates back centuries. Unlike Western staff notation, Khaz employs symbols and signs placed above or below text to indicate pitch, rhythm, and ornamentation, guiding singers without needing a pitch staff. It emphasizes melodic contours and modal nuances essential to Armenian chant and folk music. This notation allows performers to interpret the music with expressive flexibility, capturing the intricate ornamentations and microtonal variations characteristic of Armenian sound traditions. Overall, it’s a specialized system tailored to preserve and transmit Armenia’s rich musical heritage.