The Digital Analysis of Chant Transmission (DACT) is a partnership project funded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Understanding how plainchant traveled and adapted over time and place through oral and written traditions is important for what it can tell us about the communication of culture through the encounters of people and ideas.
App users can listen to recordings of chants, submit their own fragments, and access online resources and databases.
What is Plainchant?
Plainchant, or plainsong, is a style of medieval vocal music, which is performed a cappella, and would have traditionally been performed by male voices only – priests or monks. The notation plainchant uses is quite different from contemporary music notation with a single line of vocal melody and not divided into bar-lengths, where rhythm is rather dictated by the associated words. It also uses ‘modes’ rather than major or minor key signatures.
What are SoundWalks?
Featuring images and recordings of manuscripts and printed liturgical sources, the app uses Bluetooth Beacon technology to deliver relevant content based on an app user’s location into a series of curated SoundWalks.
An app user can access a SoundWalk from anywhere in the world, or complete them through physical walks around Downtown Halifax, the campuses of University of Waterloo and Western Michigan University, and Monreal, Canada.
Screens from the DACT app
Download the DACT App
Download the app now to listen to some enthralling music! The app is in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
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