neume Definition
- 1a note or group of notes sung to a single syllable in plainsong or chant
- 2a symbol representing one or more musical notes in early notation
Using neume: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "neume" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The neumes in this manuscript are difficult to decipher.
Example
The neumes indicate the melody of the chant.
Example
The neumes were used in medieval music notation.
neume Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with neume
Example
The square neume was commonly used in Gregorian chant.
a type of neume used in early music notation, indicating a change in pitch or tone
Example
The liquescence neume is often used to indicate a transition between notes.
Example
The ascending neume is used to indicate a higher note in the melody.
Origins of neume
from Medieval Latin 'pneuma', meaning 'breath'
Summary: neume in Brief
A 'neume' [njuːm] is a musical symbol representing one or more notes sung to a single syllable in plainsong or chant. It is also a symbol representing one or more musical notes in early notation. Examples of usage include 'The neumes indicate the melody of the chant.' and 'The neumes were used in medieval music notation.' The term encompasses various types of neumes, such as the square neume, the liquescence neume, and the ascending neume.
