Plainsong Psalter

I follow a program of praying the psalms daily with a four-week rotation. Because I love music and because using music, adds another dimension to my prayer, I use the chants in this book. The antiphons (with choices for the church seasons) are lovely and add much to my experience. The chant, while based on ancient chant tones, is printed in modern music notation making it much easier to read and follow. I periodically reread the instructions at the beginning to help me improve my chant. I don't see why a person who has some music background could not learn chant from this book alone but I know having studied chant at Saint Helena's Episcopal Convent in Georgia made it easier and more rewarding for me to use this book. I have the sister's breviary but it is so cumbersome and so complex, that this book combined with the psalter adapted for laypersons by the Community of Jesus are perfect for me for my daily practice of praying the psalms as a layperson.I have ordered books on chant for years trying to find something like this book. I could have saved a lot of money on books I ultimately did not use if I had found this psalter earlier.

This is exactly what one would expect from a psalter. The Psalms are all clearly printed in easy-to-read type, and the Psalm tones for the chants are clearly printed once above each Psalm All Psalms are clearly numbered in larger type. The verses are numbered on the left in smaller type followed bu the verse on the right with the appropriate markings inserted in the text for the chanter’s assistance and convenience.

I've been curious about learning more about Gregorian chant since majoring in music in college, many years ago, but never invested myself. This resource has been a rich blessing as I've begun chanting a few Psalms each day. As the weeks pass I find myself focusing more on the text and less on the mechanics. The format for notation was fairly easy to pick up. The only thing I would add to this work is other scripture songs, the canticles beyond the Psalter.

This is a great resource if you're into chanting the Psalter. Nice large print and music in modern notation.

I was surprised to see Plainsong modes assigned individual Psalms, though you could do the psalm to any Plainsong mode you desired. I was very happy to get this book and will use it in the years to come.

I use this every week when we sing Compline at church, it is very user friendly.

This is exactly what I needed and expected. My only complaint is that I wish each Psalm was printed on its own page, for ease of copying for bulletin inserts.

Was very familiar with this book long before I ordered it, so I knew just what to expect. Works well for a cantor or two. For a choir, get the green one.

An elegant and useful addition to a parish organist's resources ~ whether for occasional 'features' of psalmody in a traditional yet accessible form, or for more regular adoption.