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What is plainchant?

Plainchant is a style of medieval vocal music.

Subject matter

Plainchant sets the words of the Roman Catholic mass or prayers to music. It is sung in Latin.

Plainchant

Watch this video of the musical style plainchant

This early church music is modal and there is a single line of melody with voices singing in unison.

Rhythm and tempo

There is no regular time signature - instead the rhythm and tempo are dictated by the words being sung.

Instruments

It is performed a cappella, and would have traditionally been performed by male voices only - priests or monks.