How were early chants commonly transmitted?

Early chants, especially those from the medieval period such as Gregorian chant, were primarily transmitted through oral tradition. This practice involved the passing down of music from one generation to the next through listening and imitation rather than through written notation. The reliance on oral tradition allowed for flexibility and variability in performance, contributing to the evolution of these musical forms over time.

Written notation began to emerge later on, which helped in solidifying the chants and preserving them more accurately. However, during the initial stages, there was no standardized system to document these chants, which made oral transmission essential for their continuation. This process was often carried out within monastic communities, where monks would learn the chants from more experienced members and pass them on to newcomers, thereby keeping the tradition alive.