A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gamut

by George Grove

GAMUT. A word fast becoming obsolete in England, and meaning the Scale. It is derived from gamma, the Greek name of the letter G, which was adopted by Guido d'Arezzo as the lowest note of his system, and thence became employed for the entire compass of a voice or instrument. The French word gamme means strictly the scale. [See Hexachord.]

In the old English Church writers 'Gamut' signifies the key of G; 'Blow in Gamut', for instance, being Blow's service in G.

[ G. ]