Gregorian chant notation

Gregorian chant notation is a system used to write down medieval church music, primarily monophonic (single melody) vocals. It employs a set of symbols called neumes placed above the text to indicate pitch and melodic movement, rather than exact notes like modern sheet music. The notation shows whether the pitch should go up or down and the scale or interval to follow, providing performers with guidance on melody contours and phrasing. Over time, it evolved into a more precise system with staff lines (initially a single line, later four) that specify exact pitches, allowing more accurate and consistent singing across different contexts.