This is the Guidonian Hand - originating in the 11th C., it was used as a mnemonic device to help singers get the right pitches when sight reading music. Notation was just coming about and it was confusing the hell out of some of our ancient friends. Even more confusing was polyphony, or many notes going on at once. The modern ear is bombed with chords, rhythms, melodic and harmonic lines, along with singing or rapping; all within a 4 minute radio cut. Back in the 10th century, in the Western world, things were way different. It was simple and uncluttered. Monophonic lines, sung by one hairy monk, was about as wild as it got. You might know this music as Gregorian chants. You'd recognize it if you've ever gotten a questionable massage, or used to rock out to Enigma.
The coolest part about the Hand is that it's proof that communicating the beauty of music was a huge priority to the ancient world. People were obsessed with getting it right and sharing it with both the sacred and secular. A lot has changed since then and more and more people are climbing to the helm of music. I have a personal connection to the Hand because it reminds me that as a musician I am responsible for communicating my interpretation of music clearly and without question. The notes we use now and their function is a direct result of the workings of the Guidonian Hand. Give it up to those monks.
So the next time your putzing about and complaining about what's on the radio, why your hands are dry, and how the cast of Jersey Shore are doing, put these things together and ruminate on the history of the Guido - the Guidonian Hand.
- WhaleHawk -
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