Answer :

Final answer:

Neumes, in the earliest notation, indicated melodic direction or pitch changes for singers. They evolved over time to include rhythmic notation in the fourteenth century, crucial for performing polyphonic music.

Explanation:

In the earliest notation, signs called neumes placed above the text were used to indicate melodic direction or pitch fluctuations for singers during a performance. These neumes are considered precursors to modern musical notation, providing a visual representation to guide the performance of chant and other vocal music. They did not specify precise pitches or rhythms like modern notation; instead, they served as mnemonic devices that relied on the memory and experience of singers to interpret the melody.

By the end of the fourteenth century, in Paris, a more advanced type of notation began to develop, which incorporated aspects of rhythmic notation. This was a crucial advancement for the performance of polyphonic music, where multiple vocal lines needed to be coordinated. The rhythmic notation provided a means to indicate the timing and duration of notes, which began to look similar to today's recognized standards.

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