The Tone 3 Kontakion Melody
This prostopinije melody is one of four special feast-day melodies (in Tones 3, 4, 6, and 8) which are now used for singing all kontakia in these four tones. This page explains how to sing the tone 3 kontakion melody.
The kontakion of the Nativity of Christ
Each of the four kontakion melodies is derived from the melody of the kontakion for an important feast. In Tone 3, this is the kontakion of the Nativity of our Lord, or Christmas:
Here is the Sunday kontakion in Tone 3:
Each phrase begins and ends on the same pitch (la). This gives is a distinctly minor feel, matching the Tone 3 troparion melody.
Structure of the Melody
The Tone 3 kontakion melody consists of a single repeating phrase:
which consists of a beginning (intonation), a middle (reciting tone), and a conclusion (cadence). A "preparatory note" signals the beginning of the cadence to those who are singing with the cantor:
Except from the preparatory note, the entire melody moves smoothly up and down the scale. It is quite easy to sing as long as you pay attention to the accents in the text:
The last repetition of the phrase uses a slightly different ending
instead of
to mark the conclusion of the kontakion.
There are plenty of examples of this melody to assist in learning it.
Melodies for Glory / Now and ever
Here is how "Glory... Now and ever...." should be sung before a kontakion in tone 3:
Notice the two different cadences!
Here is how "Glory...." and "Now and ever...." should be sung when one or the other is sung before a kontakion in tone 3:
The "Now and ever" is so short that we go directly to the "final" cadence.
Learning the melody
Sing through the examples of tone 3 kontakia, all of which use this melody.
Memorize the Glory, Now and ever melodies (above) and practice singing them from memory, immediately followed by kontakia in tone 3.
Then try singing a troparion in each of the eight tones, followed by Glory... or Glory... Now and ever... and a kontakion in tone 3.