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Below, I have created a self-paced beginning chant curriculum that I am following. This is a great study guide for beginners of chant.

Hello, I am on my journey to learning chant alongside you. I began this journey while learning about the Liturgy of the Hours at the Oblate School of Theology. Since then, I’ve been listening to Sing the Hours. I’m also practicing my basic Latin grammar and learning about Gregorian chant.

Like you, I am also beginning chant from scratch. I find great pleasure in learning chants while tutoring young music students.

Below, I have created a self-paced curriculum that I am following. I plan to revise it as needed so it will be helpful to the readers of Chant and Play. In the future, I look forward to integrating chant into the Chant and Play music program.

Here’s a simple study plan for beginners learning Catholic Gregorian Chant:

Introduction to Gregorian Chant

• Read: Basic history and purpose of Gregorian chant in the Catholic Church.
• Listen: Examples of Gregorian chants (e.g., Salve Regina, Kyrie Eleison).
• Practice: Singing simple melodies using solfège (do-re-mi).
• Resource: Liber Usualis (online version) for reference.

Understanding Neumes & Notation

• Learn: Square notation and 4-line staff system.
• Study: Simple neumes (punctum, virga, podatus, clivis).
• Resource: Introduction to Gregorian Chant Notation (online tutorials).

Modes and Scales

• Learn: The 8 Gregorian modes (Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, etc.).
  • Basic Introduction to the Ecclesiastical Modes 
  • MODES: How to Understand & Actually Use Them Music Theory 
  • Gregorian Modes 

Latin Pronunciation & Chanting Techniques

• Study: Ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation rules.
• Practice: Pronouncing common chant texts
  • Pater Noster 
  • Ave Maria 
  • Rosary Tonus Solemnis 
  • Angelus v1 
  • Litany of Loreto 

Rhythm & Interpretation

• Learn: Gregorian chant rhythm (no strict meter, flowing speech-like phrasing). 
• Practice: Reading chants with ictus (beat indication).
• Resource: Videos on Solesmes method (most widely accepted chant interpretation).

Singing the Mass Ordinaries

• Study: Common Gregorian Mass parts (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei).
• Practice: Singing one simple setting (e.g., Missa de Angelis).

Chanting the Divine Office

• Learn: Structure of the Liturgy of the Hours (e.g., Lauds, Vespers, Compline).
• Practice: Singing simple psalm tones and antiphons.
  • What is an Antiphon? Video 
  • What is a Psalm Tone? Video 
  • Psalm Tones Modes, Eight and Two 
• Sing: The Salve Regina or another Marian antiphon.

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📚 Books on Gregorian Chant

🔹 Learning About Gregorian Chant By The Monastic Choir of St. Peter’s Abbey of Solesmes

Alternative (VIDEOS): 

• Overview History Part I 
• Part II 

🔹 The Song of Prayer: A Practical Guide to Gregorian Chant By (author) The Community of Jesus 

🔹Latin Grammar: For the Reading of the Missal and Breviary
Author: Cora Carroll Scanlon, AM, Charles L. Scanlon, AM

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📱 Apps & Digital Resources

🎼 Chant Notation & Music Practice

• ✅ Liber Pro (iOS) – Liber Usualis 
• ✅ Neumz (iOS) – Listen to daily chant with notation.
• ✅ GregoBase (Web) – https://gregobase.selapa.net – Free database of Gregorian chant scores.
• ✅ Square Note: Gregorian Chant (iOS & Android) – A digital chant book with audio playback. 

📖 Liturgical Chant Resources

• ✅ Divinum Officium (Web & Mobile) – https://divinumofficium.com – Daily Latin chants for the Divine Office.
• ✅ Universalis (iOS, Android, Web) – Modern Liturgy of the Hours with chant support.
• ✅ iBreviary (iOS & Android) – Latin and English Breviary with occasional chant audio.

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🎓 Online Courses on Gregorian Chant

Basic & Introductory Courses

✅ “Introduction to Gregorian Chant” – Musica Sacra (Free)

• Website: https://musicasacra.com
• Covers notation, Latin pronunciation, rhythm, and simple chants.

✅ “How to Read and Sing Gregorian Chant” – Corpus Christi Watershed (Free)

• Website: https://www.ccwatershed.org/gregorian/ 
• Offers a series of tutorial videos and chant PDFs. 

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Beginning Chant

If you are still needing convincing on beginning chant, here’s a quick explanation. Learning Gregorian chant helps Catholic homeschoolers grow in faith. It links them to the Church’s musical history and enhances prayer through sacred song. Its simple, calming melodies boost focus and memory. They also help you appreciate Latin, the Church’s historic language. Chant builds unity among generations of Catholics. They have worshiped with this music for centuries. Also, it is a lovely and calm way to show kids liturgical worship. This makes the Mass and Divine Office more special in their spiritual lives.

Welcome to the Xylophone Music Lesson 2 for weeks 5 – 8. If you haven’t yet completed lesson 1 be sure to complete that lesson and the rhythm flash cards lesson before moving on to this lesson. See the Xylophone syllabus for an overview of all the lessons.

🎶 Weeks 5-8: Playing Full Songs & Rhythm Practice

Playing full songs:

• “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
• “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

Introducing rhythm:

• Clapping beats before playing
• Using simple 1-2 counting

Fun activities:

• “Freeze Play” (play when teacher says “Go,” stop when “Freeze!”)
• “Bell Swap” (kids trade bells to play different notes)

Xylophone Music Lesson 2

If you’re enjoying these lessons, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Chant and Play helps parents and tutors introduce young kids to music. It uses simple and fun methods. This resource is based on Charlotte Mason’s education philosophy. It promotes a natural and playful way to learn solfege, rhythm, and singing. Chant and Play provides useful tools for starting a child’s music journey or making lessons more fun. These tools help build musical confidence and appreciation.

The Charlotte Mason approach to teaching music is gentle and joyful. It’s perfect for homeschoolers. Instead of rote memorization or strict lessons, this method helps kids develop their musical ear. They do this through singing, movement, and hands-on exploration. By using solfege, living songs, and playful activities, children create a strong musical foundation. This process feels natural and fun.

For homeschooling parents looking for a simple yet effective way to bring music into your home, explore Music for Homeschoolers. For tutors or co-op leaders seeking resources to teach music in a group setting, visit Music for Homeschool Groups.

The Importance of Teaching Vocal Warmups and Solfege to Young Children

Music is a language all its own, and just like spoken language, it’s best learned from an early age. Whether you’re a parent teaching your child at home or a tutor guiding young students, incorporating vocal warmups and solfege into music lessons can make a profound difference. These foundational techniques help children develop a strong musical ear, build confidence, and lay the groundwork for future musical success.

Why Vocal Warmups Matter

Vocal warmups are just as essential for young singers as stretching is for athletes. Here’s why:

1. Prepares the Voice – Just like any muscle, the vocal cords need preparation before singing to avoid strain or discomfort.
2. Improves Breath Control – Deep breathing and controlled exhalation exercises help children support their voices better.
3. Enhances Clarity and Projection – Articulation exercises improve diction and vocal tone.
4. Encourages Confidence – Fun, engaging warmups help children feel comfortable using their voices.

Simple warmups like humming, lip trills, and sirens (sliding up and down in pitch) make singing feel natural and enjoyable. Games and playful approaches keep children engaged while gently strengthening their vocal abilities.

The Power of Solfege

Solfege (Do-Re-Mi) is a time-tested method of teaching pitch and ear training. It’s a fundamental part of music education, and here’s why it’s especially helpful for young learners:

1. Develops Pitch Accuracy – Singing notes with solfege syllables trains children to recognize and reproduce pitches correctly.
2. Builds Musical Memory – Associating syllables with specific pitches strengthens a child’s ability to remember and recall melodies.
3. Lays the Foundation for Sight-Singing – Reading music becomes easier when children can associate notes with familiar sounds.
4. Makes Learning Engaging – Using hand signs or movement with solfege helps reinforce concepts in a multisensory way.

Charlotte Mason’s Approach to Music Education

Charlotte Mason, a pioneer in education, emphasized a gentle, natural approach to learning music. Her method aligns beautifully with teaching solfege to young children by making music an enjoyable and organic part of their daily lives.

1. Short, Consistent Lessons – Keep music lessons brief but frequent to maintain attention and retention.
2. Learning by Ear – Encourage children to listen and imitate rather than relying on written music too soon.
3. Singing First – Children should experience music through singing before moving on to instruments or written notation.
4. Foster a Love for Music – Instead of rigid drills, make solfege and warmups fun through songs, rhymes, and play.

Making It Fun and Engaging

Children learn best through play and exploration. Here are some tips for making vocal warmups and solfege enjoyable:

• Use Games – Try call-and-response exercises or musical “Simon Says.”
• Incorporate Movement – Hand signs, clapping, or stepping to beats reinforce learning.
• Sing Familiar Songs – Applying solfege to well-known tunes makes learning feel natural.
• Be Playful – Funny voices, silly sounds, and imaginative storytelling keep young learners engaged.

Conclusion

Vocal Warmups and Solfege

Teaching vocal warmups and solfege to young children sets the stage for a lifelong love of music. These simple yet powerful techniques nurture their musical abilities, improve listening skills, and boost confidence. By following a natural and playful approach—especially one inspired by Charlotte Mason—you can help your child or students develop a strong musical foundation while keeping learning joyful and engaging. So warm up those voices, sing some Do-Re-Mis, and enjoy the magic of music together!