Medieval sheet music with ‘neumes’ now on display for the public to see in London [Video]

Centuries before recorded music, sheet music and streaming services, there were “little squiggles” on pieces of parchment to guide a singer or choir.

Known as medieval neumes, the squiggles didn’t indicate the tune or the song’s key, but instead outlined pacing, and whether to perform the notes fast, slow, smooth or choppy. 

Now, researchers in London, Ont. and the public have access to this early form of written music through Western University’s archives library. It recently acquired two pieces of parchment containing Germanic neumes likely drawn in the 1200s. 

“The notation here kind of looks like chicken scratch,” Western music professor Kate Helsen explains. “Essentially what you’re doing is …