One volume. One system. The complete framework for Byzantine Polyphony.
The Practical Course + The Tone System & Harmony Reference
The Architect’s Edition provides a clear, structured path from absolute beginner to confident polyphonic singer.
By replacing opaque neumatic theory with precise Western notation, it makes Byzantine chant readable, analyzable, and teachable. The modes are presented as functional musical systems, restoring coherence to a tradition long buried under misconception.
Level: Beginner → Advanced.
For: Students, Chanters, Composers, Arrangers, Choir Directors, Musicians who want to study Modal Harmony and Counterpoint
You will learn to:
- Read and sing Byzantine chant accurately
- Understand how the modes actually function
- Perform polyphonic chant with clarity, balance, and precision
This is practical training, stripped of mythology and focused on musical reality.
The advanced Harmony Reference is the compositional and analytical core of the system. Often described as the “missing manual,” this section delivers a complete technical breakdown of all eight Tones across their three authentic styles: Syllabic, Solemn, and Elaborate.
Included are:
- Modal Matrices: Detailed maps of each tone’s behavior, modulations, and cadences
- The Composer’s Guide: A field manual for constructing authentic SATB harmony that respects the modal structure of the chant
- Common Pitfalls: Precise warnings that expose the errors that undermine otherwise competent arrangements
Exclusive to the Architect’s Edition
- Hardcover Reference Binding: Built for long-term use in rehearsal, study, and composition
- Complete Curriculum: The only volume that teaches both how to perform Byzantine Polyphony and how to harmonize it
$59.00 – amazon.com (shipped to your address)
ISBN: 979-8278304296
This edition consolidates Mastering Byzantine Polyphony: A Guide to the Hidden Architecture of Sacred Chant and Tone System Quick Guide: The Composer’s Manual into a single hardcover book.