Learn Eight Tones (Plain Chant)
Orthodox Christian worship is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of a system of changeable hymns known as the Octoechos or eight tones. These melodies are used in conjunction with hymns related to a particular daily or festal theme or in regards to a specific saint of the Church. While adding great beauty and meaning to Orthodox worship, in order to be sung properly a certain level of musical proficiency and training is required.
As a service to the cantors and faithful of the diocese, instructional recordings of the 8 Tones are being created and posted on this website. At the present time you may listen to and learn all eight Tropar, Kondak and Theotokion Tones, and selected Vespers Tones. The posted music is from the Sunday (Resurrectional) Office.
To listen to and learn the the eight tones for Tropars/Kondaks/Theotokia, and Vespers please select the appropriate playlist from the top of the media player which is located further down this page.
Download Files
You may also download the audio files which have been placed in zipped folders to upload to your computer or i-Pod in the following manner:
Windows users: Right click on the the desired music folder to download and select "Save As" option indicating the location on your computer where you would like to download the files to.
Mac users: Press control and click on the desired music folder to download, and select "Save As" option indicating the location on your computer where you would like to download the files to.
Note: You may need to download a program called 7zip to unzip files. It is freeware and can be downloaded at http://www.7-zip.org/
Downloadable Music Folders
Troparia/Kontakia/Theotokia (Includes Tones 1-8)
Vespers Tones (Tones 5 & 6), Remaining Tones Will Be Added in the Near Future)
Music Player
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Music Texts
Troparia/Kontakia/Theotokia: Located in our diocesan pewbook.
