vox principalis
Quick Summary
The term "vox principalis" refers to the principal voice in early polyphonic music, specifically in 11th and 12th-century organum. It was a preexistent melody, often a plainchant excerpt, that served as the foundation for a musical composition with multiple independent voices.1
In the context of music, "vox" is Latin for voice, and in plural form, it can refer to vocals. The "vox principalis" was the primary melody around which other melodic lines were added. By the end of the 12th century, this principal voice was often stretched to accommodate new melodic developments.21
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- counterpointCounterpoint in the Middle Ages
ā¦ melody, or āprincipal voiceā (vox principalis), is combined with another part, āorganal voiceā (vox organalis), singing the same melody in parallel motion a perfect fourth or fifth below (e.g., G or F below C).
Read Moreā¦ melody, or āprincipal voiceā (vox principalis), is combined with another part, āorganal voiceā (vox organalis), singing the same melody in parallel motion a perfect fourth or fifth below (e.g., G or F below C).
Read More - Western musicDevelopment of polyphony
To a given plainsong (or vox principalis), a second voice (vox organalis) could be added at the interval (distance between notes) of a fourth or fifth (four or five steps) below. Music so performed was known as organum. While it may be assumed that the first attempts at polyphony involvedā¦
Read MoreTo a given plainsong (or vox principalis), a second voice (vox organalis) could be added at the interval (distance between notes) of a fourth or fifth (four or five steps) below. Music so performed was known as organum. While it may be assumed that the first attempts at polyphony involvedā¦
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