Pes initio debilis
  • madorganist
    Posts: 906
    How is the pes initio debilis recognized in the manuscripts? I don't remember anything about this neume in Cardine's Gregorian Semiology, only the torculus initio debilis or "special torculus," which is easy to recognize in the St. Gall and Laon neumes. In the gradual Christus factus es, Stingl uses this kind of pes for the the first syllable of Deus near the beginning of the verse. The Lagal edition also shows a shorter lower note. What's the basis for this?

  • Andris Amolins
    Posts: 154
    Stingl uses this neographic sign also at the 1st sillable of the word "autem". There is nothing distinct in the accompanying neums, but in both cases it follows a note at the same pitch.

    There is a discussion in another forum with examples of a pes initio debilis derived from the context of melody. If we apply this principle to our case, we have both debiles on sol which appears to be a 'light' note on the scale for this melodic motive.
    Thanked by 3madorganist CHGiffen MichaelDickson
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