Episem

The episem is an accent mark in Gregorian chant , which is placed as a horizontal or vertical line under or above the corresponding neume or group neume . In contrast to icts , which are also known as vertical episemes , the episemes dealt with here are in the narrower sense horizontal episemes, which stand for a lengthening of the pitch and often for a stronger emphasis on the note.

In the case of new groups, it is important to note where the episemes are attached. For example, the episemes of the original adiastematic manuscripts have not always been transferred into the square notation of the Graduale Romanum . With the Graduale Triplex or the Graduale Novum , the episemes can be seen in the adiastematic manuscripts given in addition to the square notation.

The exact length of a neume or group neume with an episem is not fixed. In practice, the corresponding tones are sustained about twice as long as without an episem, but depending on the context, significantly different expansion factors can also result. The focus here is always on the meaning of the text and the interpretation of the text and melody.

Many neumes also appear in episemic forms. The following table shows some simple examples:

designation	Episemic square notation	Episemic notation St. Gallen / Einsiedeln
Single tonumen
Stanza
Uncinus
Virga
Double tonumen
Clivis
Pes
Triple tonumen
Porrectus
Torculus