
The nabc language provides the ability to describe some adiabatic neumes, for now just the St. Gallen and Laon (Metz notation family) style. The language is partially based on Dom Eugene Cardine's Table of neumatic signs, but for more complex neumes doesn't always match how the neumes are called; instead attempts to make it easier to compose complex neumes from basic glyphs. To describe adiabaticneumes in gabc, the header should contain nabc-lines: 1; line, like:

nabc-lines: 1; (f3) AL(ef-[ta>]e(fg/hggf|peclhgpi)l(ef-[ta>]a.(f.[ta-) (,) (ii//|bv-|ghiviHG//|vi-hhppu2su1stu1fhg/|toeef.|pt) (;) The nabc snippets are then separated by | character from gabc snippets or other nabc snippets. Every gabc snippet may be followed by multiple nabc snippets. The maximum number of consecutive nabc snippets is the number declared in the header field nabc-lines: x;. After reaching that number of consecutive nabc snippets another gabc snippet followed by nabc snippets can follow. A single nabc snippet is not split into multiple lines, so for larger melismatic pieces it is desirable to synchronize the gabc snippets with corresponding nabc snippets. With nabc-lines: 1; the gabc and nabc snippets form an alternating pattern, like (gabc|nabc|gabc|nabc|gabc), in this case the last gabc snippet does not have any corresponding nabc neumes. With nabc-lines: 2; the snippets ordering could be e.g. (gabc|nabc|1nabc2|gabc|1nabc1). Each nabc snippet consists of a sequence of _complex neume descriptors_. Each _complex neume descriptor_ consists of optional _horizontal spacing adjustment descriptor_, then _complex glyph descriptor_, optionally followed by a sequence of _subpunctis and prepunctis descriptors_, optionally followed by a sequence of _significant letter descriptors_. The _horizontal spacing adjustment descriptor_ consists of a sequence of horizontal spacing adjustment characters / and '.
* // move by nabclargerspace skip to the right
* / move by nabclargerspace skip to the left
*'move by nabclargerspace skip to the left
*'move by nabclinteelementspace skip to the left

The _complex glyph descriptor_ consists of a _glyph descriptor_, optionally followed by a sequence of other _glyph descriptors_, all separated by the! character. This is used to describe more complex glyphs, where certain basic glyphs are connected together. Each _glyph descriptor_ consists of a _basic glyph descriptor_, followed by optional _glyph modifiers_, followed by optional _pitch descriptor_. The following description is for the St. Gall family of neumes, when using the gregall or gresgmodern fonts. For details on Laon (Metz notation family) neumes see 4.

The _basic glyph descriptor_ is a two-letter string from the following table:

\begin{tabular}{l|l|l|l|l} vi \textbackslash{} virga & po \textbackslash{} porrectus & tr \textbackslash{} torculus resupinus & tv \textbackslash{} trivirga & pq \textbackslash{} per sussus \\ pu \textbackslash{} punctum & to \textbackslash{} torculus & st.stropha & pr \textbackslash{} pressus major & q1 \textbackslash{} qualsim (3 loops) \\ ta \textbackslash{} tractulus & ci \textbackslash{} climacus & ds \textbackslash{} distropha & pi \textbackslash{} pissus minor & qi \textbackslash{} qualsim (2 loops) \\ gr \textbackslash{} gravis & sc \textbackslash{} sc \textbackslash{} scandicus & ts \textbackslash{} tristropha & vs \textbackslash{} virga strata & pt \textbackslash{} per stratus \\ cl \textbackslash{} clivis & pf \textbackslash{} r \textbackslash{} portcus flexus & tg \textbackslash{} trigons & or \textbackslash{}, oriscus & \\ pe \textbackslash{} pes & sf \textbackslash{} s \textbackslash{} scalculus flexus & bv \textbackslash{} bivira & sa \textbackslash{} scandicus & \\ \end{tabular}

The glyph modifiers is a possibly empty sequence of following characters optionally followed by a number:

* S modification of the mark
* G modification of the grouping (neumatic break)
* M melodic modification
* - addition of episema
* > augmentive liquescence
* - diminutive liquescence

If Dom Cardine's table contains multiple glyphs with the same modifiers, a positive number is added afterwards. E.g. for augmentive liquescent divis the table shows two different glyphs, the ancus cl> \textbackslash{} and then another neume - cl>1 \textbackslash{}, the first neume does not contain any number after it, while the 1 indicates first variant.

The _pitch descriptor_ allows to specify the vertical position of the neume. There are no staves, so the vertical position is only rough. For pitches the same letters as in gabc are used, a through n and p. If the _pitch descriptor_ is missing, the default is hf, otherwise it consists of the letter h followed by the pitch letter. Within the _complex glyph descriptor_, each _basic glyph descriptor_ has its own pitch, but in the current fonts there are no glyphs with different relative pitches, so if you use a _pitch descriptor_ on any of the _basic glyph descriptors_ in the _complex glyph descriptor_, it is best to use the same one on all the other _basic glyph descriptors_ in the same _complex glyph descriptor_.

The _subpunctis and prepunctis descriptor_ consists of the letters su for subpunctis or pp for prepunctis, followed optionally by a modifier letter from the following table and finally a mandatory positive number of repetitions. If the modifier letter is missing, it is a punctum.
* t \textbackslash{} tractulus


The _basic glyph descriptor_ for Laon neumes is very similar to the one used for St. Gall neumes, but with uncinus and oriscus-clivis added and stropha, 2 loops quilima and gravis removed:

un. uncinus

vi. vriga

po \(\mathcal{V}\) porrectus

gu. punctum

to \(\mathcal{J}\) torulus

ta. tractulus

ci. climacus

gr gravis

sc \(\mathcal{V}\) scandicus

cl \(\mathcal{V}\) clivis

pf \(\mathcal{V}\) porrectus flexus

oc \(\mathcal{V}\) oriscus-clivis

sf \(\mathcal{V}\) scandicus flexus

pr \(\mathcal{V}\) pressus maior

The _subpunctis and preunctis descriptor_ consists of the letters su for subpunctis or pp for prepunctis, followed optionally by a modifier letter from the following table and finally a mandatory positive number of repetitions. If the modifier letter is missing, it is a punctum.

* n. uncinus
* q \(\mathcal{V}\) quilisma
* z. virga
* x \(\mathcal{F}\) cephalicus

The _significant letter descriptor_ for Laon neumes allows another position, 5, which stands for inside the neume. The exact position of the letter depends on the glyph, if there is no glyph with the neume inside of it, it can't be positioned inside the neume.

The shorthands, including the ls prefix, which should be followed by the above mentioned position digit for Laon neumes are:

lsa. augete

lsc. celerter

lsst. equaliter

lsst. equaliter

lsst. equaliter

lsst \(\mathcal{F}\) eqaliter

lsst \(\mathcal{F}\) (fastigium

lssh. humiliter

lsshn. humiliter

lsshn. humiliter rectum

lsshn. humiliter parum

lssl. levare

lsn. non (tenere), negare, nectum, naturaliter

For the Tironian notes the form of the _significant letter descriptor_ starts with the lt prefix followed by letters from the following list, followed by above mentioned position digit (5 can't be used):

lt1, iusum

ltdo \(\mathcal{F}\) deorsum

ltdr \(\mathcal{F}\) devertit

ltdx \(\mathcal{F}\) devexum

ltps \(\mathcal{F}\), prode sub eam (trade subtus)

ltgm. quam mox

ltsb \(\mathcal{F}\) sub

ltse \(\mathcal{F}\) seorsum

ltrsj \(\mathcal{F}\) subjice

ltsl \(\mathcal{F}\) saltm

ltsnn \(\mathcal{F}\) sonare

ltsp \(\mathcal{F}\) supra

ltsr \(\mathcal{F}\), survsum

ltst \(\mathcal{F}\) saltate (saltet)

ltus \(\mathcal{F}\) ut supraTable from Cardine's Gregorian Semiology, pp. 12-13 with nabc strings and gregall glyphs.



* [1]



H1 = [http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0390_001/max](http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0390_001/max) H195 = [http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0391_001/max](http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0391_001/max) max H16A Apiciebar in visu NR1111 H16M Missus ed Gabriel NR111 H16Vr Maria RR113 H223Sciet mater consolator NR127 H23E Egcediter Dominus de Samaria NR129 H25E Egceditor mideghem AU201 H26C Grata fac et MBE25* H28Q Qui venturts est NR134 H29E Ecez radar Jesse NR137 H32N Nascuet nobis NR1493 H33I Invari dict Dominus NR151 H34Festina readvers NR130 H35G Germinaverunt campi NR144 H36A Amatunitant est H48B death et venerabilisti passtores AM240 H72V Venit lumen uM290 H72H2 Hodie in Iordax NR229 H30 Omnes de Saha NR237 H35Stella ista NR242 H74I Illuminare, illuminare NR236 H75I In columbae specie NR231 H75F Victolates stellm NR242 H77S Stella ista M291 H77A Odier AR297 H87E Exachi Deus H835S posta sals NRS12 H103M Magnus Dominus NR1516 H104T Teum patern H1212 Sans a dextrix M798 H114C Corde et anim AM1033 H114N Nativitas tua MH035 H116B Guide, Maria Virgo NR130* H119C Umu deconvect H19173I Insurreverunt ime NR364 H172C Contumiles et terros NR365 H1717 Lipclerk Dominus M11183 H171A Amicus pas usosti HB881 H179I ludas mercator NR382 H179I Umuk cs disciopish NR383 H180U Umu kon non politis NR388 H219T Traidentem UR408 H219I lesum tradidit impius NR409 H225M Natives sedemas AM449 H266D Domino si in tempo H2669 Spiritus Sanctus H269D Dum complementur HR493 H269B Repitel sume omnes HR494 H270S Spiritus Domini AM520 H271L Lqueblant varis AM521 H297B Beatam me dict NR[172] H305H Hole nat est NR279* H305G Gloxae virgins Marae NR279* H306N Nativitas glorosse NR280* H307Nativitas tua NR281* H307F Flex namore NR[171] H320R Begilen confiscourso
33226 Beatus Gallas zelo
3322C Columbus tique beato
33238 Beatus Gallas cum
33239 Dionine lesu Christe
3324P Pater sanctus
3324Y Vieo pleus pl
3325I Iste sancus digne
3367V Vir sancit NR[54] H390C Credo quod Redemptor NR[186] H392L Libera me Domine de visis NR[200] H392I Libera me Domine de morte NR[201] H424M Magnificat H426A Ascendens Ieus MS593 H43V Petite exsultens NRXXVIII

**St. Gall cedex 339** G1 = [http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0339_033/max](http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0339_033/max) G56 = [http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0339_088/max](http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0339_088/max) max G57 = [http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0339_088/max](http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0339_088/max) max G58 = [http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0339_088/max](http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0339_088/max) max G8E Exulta satis OT11  G8A Alleluia Veni Domine GT36  G11P Pater nats est GT47  G11V Vidert omnes GT48  G12T Tai sui cnel GT18  G20I Iublate Deo univers terra GT227  G22D Domine quiano latelan GTS15  G25P Pousiat Domine GT477  G30E Exsurge quodormis GT91  G35D Domine vivifica me OT31  G42D Domine Deus saults OT112  G44P Percatus et Moyes GT317  G45D Domine in auxilum OT106  G511I Indue voci GT280  G515 S minbabule OT125  G57F Facuts est Dominus GT119  G89D Domine Deus in simplictate OT159  G113A Alleluia. Dixicr Andean CT625  G116C Cantablo Domine OT283  G126D Alleluia. Domine Deus meus GT282  G128A Alleluia. Attendite popule  G132A Alleluia. Mirabilis Dominus GT462  G132V Alleluia. Vox extatations G139A Asperges me Domine G1400 Oremus dilectissimi nobis  G1410 Omnioptens Deus  G1410 Omnioptens Deus  S. Cat.ll cedex 376 N1 = [http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0376_001/max](http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0376_001/max) N39H Holeic cantandus est nobis  N53A Audite fartes dielect  N59I Nativitarent venerandam  N65G Gloriais laus un Deus  N67G Gloria in excelsisis Deo  N68G Gloria in excelsis Deo  N69G Gloria in excelsisis Deo  N69G Gloria in excelsisis Deo  N73G Kyrie elsion  N69D Dlusisti ustitatin GT498  N10T Tui sunt cnel GT108  N171D Deus caval rotationem GT107 N221H Alleluia. Non vs relinquan GT242  N270A Alleluia. Benedictis es GT375  N293A Alleluia. Sancetti tui, Domine, benedict GT463  N295G Calleula. Veni Senet Spiritus GT263 N363C Carmen suo dilecto  N368L Letante canamus Domino nostro  N372D O quam mirs sunt Deus  S. Cat.ll cedex 374  A1 = [http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0374_001/max](http://www.e-codes.unifr.ch/en/download/csg-0374_001/max) A17T Tai sui cnel GT18  A22V Vox in Rama GT638  A2Eve Fili qui facti GTS1  A56C Custod im Domine GT304  A127E Exultabunt sancti OT143  A167O Oravi Deum menu OT107  A174A Alleluia. Eripe me GT308  Bamberg, lit. 6, Gradual of St. Emmeram  B9v = [http://bsbsbb.bslrz-muenchen.de/-db/0000/sb00000128/images/index.html?id=00000128no=19&seite=22&signtur=Msc.Lit.6](http://bsbsbb.bslrz-muenchen.de/-db/0000/sb00000128/images/index.html?id=00000128no=19&seite=22&signtur=Msc.Lit.6) B9vA Anima nostra GT466





# manuscript sources of the grelaon font

The list of glyphs uses following abbreviations for manuscript references; the page number is always for the start of some antiphon, responsory, mass propers, even when the actual name is on a later page. At the end of lines, GT stands for Graduate Triplex, Solesmes, 1979, OT for Offertoriale Triplex, Solesmes, 1985, GI for Graduate Novum de Dominicis et Festis, Conbro Verlag Regensburg, 2011, followed by page number which also contains the corresponding propers, antiphons or responsories.

All the grelaon font glyphs taken from the LAON_BM_ms239 codex with the permission from the Bibliotheque municipale de la ville de Laon [http://manuscrit.ville-laon.fr](http://manuscrit.ville-laon.fr), the picture fragments from there are only present in the font source file to help drawing the glyphs.

Graduate Laudunnensis, codex 239 L1 = [http://manuscrit.ville-laon.fr/_app/_visualisation.php?](http://manuscrit.ville-laon.fr/_app/_visualisation.php?) L805 Sperent in te omnes GT286 L81E Exaltabo te Domine GT112 I81E Erripe me de inimics GT129 L820 Omanue feeifi GT342 L827 Toller hotiss GT2722 L828 Benedictus se, Domine GT48 1900 Deus Deus mens GT144 1925 Exsury Domine GT150 1935 Ernescut et reveeraut GT152 L836 Ego autem dum mhih GT152 1945 Custodo me Domine GT154 1950 Domine, cavadi ordinem GT172 199P Pople meals quid GT176 L101V Vinea facta est GT188 L1038 Resurci GT196 L103H face dies GT196 L103P Alleluia Pascha nostrum GT197 L103T Terra treunit GT199 11041 Introductiv vos Dominus GT200 1105A Angelus Dominus GT217 1105N Angelus Dominus GT201 1106S Surreit Dominus GT207 Haee GT206 1109P Populus acquisitions GT210 L112D Deus Deus mens GT224 1112E0 Omnes qui in Christo GT215E Ego sump pator GT224 L114C Cantate Domino GT225 L114V Vocem incunditatis GT229 L117R Replicit sums GT441 L118E Ego sump vits vera GT228 L122N Non ros reluquan GT232 L122V Virila Galilei OT172 L123A Ascendri Deus GT2323 Tcaud Domine voeem GT241 L125U Utimo festivitats GT251 L125S Spiritus Domini GT252 1126F Factus set repenet GT256 L128S Spiritus uib vul vul spat GT218 L132E Eco quan bonun GT351 L136A Amed dic vobis quad vos GT436 L138S Semi imtrai QT429 L144C Chamarwatt ist GT454 L144E Capoz di Domine GT279 L149E Cado Cantido Doming qui bona GT283 L15S Ssirir in holocausto GT229 L15S Ssirir in holocausto GT229 L15S Tolinica utem d730 L164D Deus profundis GT368 L168I Iublate Do C7258 L168S Speice in PT416 Ssiri in 1168S Se





