Check and Check

So with that last post, we've covered the 4 rhythmic styles (eirmologic, old & new sticheraric) and papadic. And we've looked at examples of some of the kinds of things a chanter has to sing in church. Lets revisit Chrysanthos's list:

Species of psalmody are the following : Anoixantaria, Kekragaria, Doxastika, Stichera, Dochai, Troparia, Apolytikia, Anastasima, Kathismata, Hypakoai, Antiphona, Polyeleoi, Pasapnoaria, Canons, Odæ, Heirmoi, Katabasiæ, Kontakia, Oikoi, Megalynaria, Exaposteilaria, Aenoi, Prosomœa, Idiomela, Heothina, Doxologies, Asmatica, Mathemata, Typika, Makarismoi, Eisodika, Trishagia, Alleluaria, Cheroubika, Koinonika, Calophonic Heirmoi.

We've made a good start on this list but we've got a ways to go, obviously. Listening to these pieces carefully over time trains your ear and informs your chanting (when you chant). We're blessed to have such a vast selection of chanters and pieces on the internet now. 

Let's go on to the next item after Anoixantaria and Kekregaria on the list: Doxastica. There are lots of doxastica. Lots and lots. The text of these hymns can be found in the Menaion, the Triodion, the Pentecostarion and the Parakliki (aka the Octoechos). Feast days get doxastica; big feast days get multiple doxastica. Here's a vespers doxasticon for the feast of St. Sophia

• This is plagal first tone, in the new sticheraric style.
• The composer has gone just at touch beyond the classic new sticheraric doxastikon style to embellish and beautify the melody.
• Plagal First (aka Tone 5) new sticheraric pieces like to cadence on πα (D) κε (A) δι (G) and high νη᾽ (C)
• The chanter is a student of Ioannis Arvanitis, a student of the "Karas" style of chant.
• The Karas-style chant means he's singing a little bit more ornamentation than, other styles (like an Athonite style).
• There's a tone-shift at around 2:30 that's interesting.