The Progression of the Music

Book excerpt: How can we describe and discuss the accents of the Hebrew Bible? This volume is extracted from a music statistics database derived from the accents in the Leningrad codex. It is intended as a reference book and explanations for evaluating the data about the accents (cantillation signs) in the Hebrew Bible. It illustrates the effectiveness and clarity of the deciphering key that is used for the music. Here we see at last a clear exposition of how to explain sequences of accents without the contortions required by a Ptolmaic view of them. Sequences of accents below the text describe musical phrases and intervals based on consecutive reciting notes. Accents above the text allow for ornamentation. This separation of function reveals astonishing beauty, restores the tone of voice, and clarifies the text. The Progression of the Music is volume 10 of the series, The Hebrew Bible and Its Music.