Khaz (Armenian: խազ) is an Armenian neume, one of a set of special signs (plural: khaz or khazes) constituting the traditional system of musical notation that has been used to transcribe religious Armenian music since the 8th century.[1][2]

Armenian music manuscript with khaz neumes, 12th century (Matenadaran)

During the medieval period, the monasteries of Ark'akaghin, Drazark, Karmir Vank and Skevra became famous centers of manrousoumn, the study of church songs, melodies and the khaz notation.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Vahan Kurkjian (1958) A History of Armenia, chapter XLV: "Armenian Music Secular and Religious"
  2. ^ Armenian Neume System of Notation: Study and Analysis (2013) chapter 2: "Ancient Armenian manuscripts and their significance for the study of musical khaz notation" google books preview
  3. ^ Komitas, Komitas Vardapet; Nersessian, Vrej N.; Nersessian, Vrej N. (5 November 2013). Armenian Sacred and Folk Music. Routledge. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-136-80184-6. Retrieved 11 February 2025.