Can Gregorian chant help us become better listeners – and even better singers?
A 2016 study by Carmela Stillitano, Norma Rosati, Sara Cisternino, Alessandra Fioretti, Sara Iaconelli, and Alberto Eibenstein explored this fascinating question through the work of the French physician and ear specialist Dr. Alfred Tomatis. The researchers examined singers and actors who took part in a programme of specialised listening exercises using both Mozart and Gregorian chant.
Tomatis proposed that the voice reflects what the ear is able to perceive and that improvements in listening may lead to improvements in vocal expression. Participants listened to carefully filtered recordings through headphones and bone-conduction devices designed to stimulate listening skills, auditory perception, and vocal awareness.
The researchers found changes in listening patterns that were associated with improvements in vocal performance. In particular, participants showed improved perception of higher frequencies around 3 kHz, a range associated with speech clarity and vocal resonance. Some voices became clearer, richer, and more expressive; the authors described the effect as sounding “as if a cap was removed” from the voice. Several participants also reported improved control of pitch and intonation when singing.
Gregorian chant formed an important part of this listening programme. Its slow, flowing melodies and gentle rhythms were used to encourage relaxation, steady breathing, bodily coordination, and focused attention. Although the study involved only 19 participants and the authors emphasised the need for further research, their findings point to an intriguing connection between listening, vocal expression, and musical training. For lovers of Gregorian chant, the study offers an interesting glimpse into how this ancient music may contribute not only to prayer and contemplation but also to attentive listening and vocal development.
