Chanting the Psalms A Practical Guide with Instructional CD

by BOURGEAULT, CYNTHIA

• ISBN13: 9781590302576
• ISBN10: 1590302575
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-11-14
• Publisher: New Seeds

Summary

Chanting the psalms, or psalmody, is an ancient practice of vital importance in the Christian spiritual tradition. Today many think of it as a discipline that belongs only in monasteriesbut psalmody is a spiritual treasure that is available to anyone who prays. You don't need to be musical or a monk to do it, and it can be enjoyed in church liturgical worship, in groups, or even individually as part of a personal rule of prayer. Cynthia Bourgeault brings the practice into the twenty-first century, providing a history of Christian psalmody as well as an appreciation of its place in contemplative practice today. And she teaches you how to do it as you chant along with her on the accompanying CD in which she demonstrates the basic techniques and easy melodies that anyone can learn. "Even if you can't read music," Cynthia says, "or if somewhere along the way you've absorbed the message that your voice is no good or you can't sing on pitch, I'll still hope to show you that chanting the psalms is accessible to nearly everyone."

Author Biography

Cynthia Bourgeault, Ph.D., is an Episcopal priest, a medievalist, and a musicologist, who has been chanting the psalms for more than thirty years. She is the author of several books, including Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening and Love Is Stronger Than Death.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xiii
Introduction	1	(8)
PART ONE: The Hidden Wisdom of Psalmody
The Psalms of Ancient Israel	9	(9)
Early Monastic Psalmody	18	(9)
Psalmody as Christian Yoga	27	(11)
The Psalms as Psychological Tools	38	(11)
The Psalms as Soul Music	49	(10)
Psalters and Sourcebooks	59	(14)
PART TWO: Chanting the Psalms
Finding Your Voice	73	(12)
Suzuki Psalmody	85	(10)
Reading Simple Psalm Notation	95	(16)
The Wide World of Antiphons	111	(17)
Reading Gregorian Notation	128	(9)
Customizing Your Psalmody	137	(13)
Developing Your Own Daily Office	150	(13)
PART THREE: Creative Adaptations
Is There Chanting beyond the Psalms?	163	(6)
Taize Chant	169	(14)
Songs of the Presence	183	(9)
Iona Chant and Gouzes Chant	192	(11)
Dancing before the Ark	203	(8)
Notes	211	(22)
Glossary	233	(12)
Bibliography	245	(4)
Selected Musical Resources	249	(6)
Credits	255	(2)
CD Contents	257	(4)
Index	261