When I think of monastic music I think of chant. That could be intoning entire
psalms on elementary psalm tones or it could be a composed melody written in
a specific mode. In either case, the music couldn't be any simpler than a single
line of melody - that is mostly stepwise - and maintains a steady pulse instead of
adhering to a rhythm. So what is it that makes chant so ... well ... enchanting?
The answer lies in the harmony. Melody is only a melody because we hold each
note in memory and discern a connection and logic amongst them. We also judge
each note and the interval between then according to a universal and innate
standard of what constitutes a pure whole step, or third, or fifth or whatever.
Additionally, the sound of each note exits within a physical space which has its
own resonant qualities. Each note travels at a certain wavelength. Wavelengths
that fit more snuggly fit within the length, width and height of the physical
space sound better as they bounce around the room and interact with each other.
Nobody consciously thinks about any of this, but our ability to instantaneously
assess the quality of a musical performance - including our own - is unquestionable.
If we're singing music with instrumental accompaniment or with more than one melodic
line we have more leeway in how precise our notes need to be. A single exposed melody
however, must adhere more stringently to
intervals
we and everyone around us inwardly
know to be of the highest quality. We need to be in unity with the standards residing
within each person, as well as the acoustics of the environment we're immersed in.
Of course, the intention behind chant is not to sing, but to pray. Not as individuals,
but as one unified voice. Sounding as one voice brings the additional challenge of
shaping each vowel sound the same so that an 'A' is not both 'ah' or 'ay'. And that
the consonants are all attacked and released in the same manner and at the same time.
Professional choirs do this explicitly in rehearsals. Professing choirs will gravitate
to this over time, but only if each members pays attention to the quality of unity and
is willing to resolve their own dissonaces to the objective measures of the intonation
which are viscerally known by the love we feel when we reach the highest state of beauty
in the unity of 1 person + 1 person + 1 .... = 1 Voice. Strange math to be sure, but no
stranger than the math of 1 Father + 1 Son + 1 Spirit = 1 Trinity. Nor stranger than
the math of 1 person + 1 person + 1 person + 1 .... = 1 Body of Christ.
This is how we can pray twice when we sing.
Once with the mind as it offers up and ponders the written word.
And simultaneously with the body as it actively works to bring about
the perfect harmony of unity.