Pitch

Approaches to pitch in S/SE Asian Pali chant

1) One performer = one pitch at a time

2) Multiple performers, and a convention to have all performers chant in unison = usually pitch at a time, except when raised/lowered pitches are out of sync

3) Multiple performers, and no convention to have all performers chant in unison = formation of pitch clusters, typically based on local musical conventions

4) Multiple performers, with intentional layering of pitches (almost unheard of in S/SE Asian Buddhist chanting traditions)

5) One or multiple performers, each producing multiple pitches simultaneously (common in Himalayan and Central Asian traditions, almost unheard of in S/SE Asia)

6) One or multiple performers, each with single pitch, accompanied by wind or pitched percussion instruments (common in East Asia and Tibet, rare in S/SE Asia beyond simple drums and occasional gongs/bells)

aṅg* taï braḥ sămbuddh suvisuddh săntān

t́ăt mūl kleś mār pa mi hman₁ mi hmạṅ mvă

hnịṅ₁ naï braḥ dăy dān₁ ká pök pān gị̄ạ tạk pvă

rāgī pa băn bvă suvagandha kāṃcar