A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Initials, Absolute

by William Smyth Rockstro

INITIALS, ABSOLUTE. Though it is not necessary that a Plain Chaunt Melody should begin on the Final, Dominant, or even Mediant, of the Mode in which it is written, the choice of the first note is not left entirely to the Composer's discretion. He can only begin upon one of a series of sounds, selected from the Regular or Conceded Modulations of the Scale in which he writes, and invariably occupying the first place in all Plain Chaunt Melodies referable to that Scale. These sounds are called Absolute Initials. Their number varies, in different Modes; no Tonality possessing less than three, or more than six: and, among them, there are a few, which, though freely permitted, by law, are, in practice, very rarely used.

In the following Table, the letters, enclosed in brackets, denote the more unusual Initials: while those printed in Italics indicate that the sounds they represent are to be taken in the lower Octave, even though they should thus be brought beyond the normal bounds of the Mode.

Mode I.	C. D. F. G. A.
Mode II.	A. C. D. F. [E.]
Mode III.	E. [F.] G. C.
Mode IV.	C. D. E. F. [G.] [A.]
Mode V.	F. A. C.
Mode VI.	F. [C.] [D.]
Mode VII.	G. [A.] B. C. D.
Mode VIII.	C. D. F. G. A. C.
Mode IX.	G. A. C. D. E.
Mode X.	E. G. A. C. [B.]
(Mode XI.)	B. [C.] D. G.
(Mode XII.)	G. A. B. C. [D.] [E.]
Mode XIII.	C. [D.] E. G.
Mode XIV.	[G.] [A.] C. [D.]

The selection of some of these sounds may seem, at first sight, a little arbitrary: but, in truth, it is sometimes very difficult to decide upon a suitable first note. This is particularly the case with regard to Antiphons, the first notes of which exercise a marked effect upon the Tones to which the corresponding Psalms are sung. It will be remembered that the entire Antiphon is always repeated, immediately after the Psalm. It follows, therefore, that, unless care be taken to bring the last note of the Ending of the Psalm Tone into true melodic correspondence with the first note of the Antiphon, forbidden intervals may arise. By a careful arrangement of the Absolute Initials, the earlier writers on Plain Chaunt did their best to reduce the danger of introducing such intervals to a minimum. [See Antiphon; Modes, the ecclesiastical.]

[ W. S. R. ]