mensurale

Mensural notation is a system of musical notation used in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It is named after the mensural signs, which are symbols used to indicate the duration of notes. Mensural notation is distinct from modern staff notation, which uses a five-line staff and specific note shapes to indicate pitch and duration.

Mensural notation is characterized by its use of mensural signs, which are placed above or below the notes to indicate their duration. The most common mensural signs are the semibrevis (a dot placed above or below the note), minim (a line placed above or below the note), and longa (a double line placed above or below the note). These signs can be combined to create a variety of note durations.

Mensural notation also includes other symbols, such as the punctum (a dot placed on a note to indicate a short duration) and the virga (a small vertical line placed above or below a note to indicate a longer duration). These symbols, along with the mensural signs, allow composers to create complex rhythms and melodies.

Mensural notation was widely used in Europe during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and it played a significant role in the development of Western music. It was eventually replaced by modern staff notation in the 16th century, but its influence can still be seen in the rhythms and melodies of Western music today.