Chanting when praying at home?

[Timon]

How do i know how to do this? Do I just mimic what I hear at services, or is there a particular tone to use? To me, it just sounds like you say everything all on the same pitch, then at the end of the sentence or phrase you go up or down, then resolve it.

Is this one of those things that doesnt really matter?

[Orthodox11]

To me, it just sounds like you say everything all on the same pitch, then at the end of the sentence or phrase you go up or down, then resolve it.

That's not chanting, that's simply reading in a monotone, so there are no tones involved here. Just pick a pitch that's comfortable and go with it. Going up or down at the end isn't necessary either, it's just something certain people do. It's all up to you.

And in any case, there's no need to read in a monotone when you're praying alone at home. You don't even have to read out loud. Whatever helps you pray.

[Timon]

I know I dont have to do it, but ive sort of "chanted" in my head as Ive read my prayers and it seems to help me stay focused.  And to clarify, the hymns and songs are always chanted at my parish, and they have certain tones set to them. But the prayers in liturgy, vespers, matins, etc., arent quite as elaborate, but still read in a sort of monotone way like mentioned above. That doesnt count as chanting? Maybe the way I am describing it isnt doing it justice...

When I asked my Priest about a prayer rule recently, he suggested what to pray and also suggested I chant them.  I just dont know how and havent gotten to ask him yet.

Any tips would be great!

[Timon]

And dont give me the "just ask your priest" answer.  I will do it.  I know thats best.  But Im just curious if there are diffferent ways or if any of you do anything in particular when you chant prayers.

[FormerReformer]

For home prayers, the monotone should be fine. There are certain tones (in the Russian practice) for some of the Troparia of the standard Morning and Evening prayers, but if you don't know the tones yet, or your prayer book doesn't list them, don't worry about it. There is no typikon for the home.

[Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)]

No matter what you do, say your prayers as you mean them. Use the punctuation marks. Emphasize the points that jump up at you; meditate on them. The idea is to internalize the prayers so that they become your own. As for chanting, anything not declaimed/read, even on a single note monotone is in effect chanted. Make it also meaningful; remember that the readers at church chant/read in a monotone in order to avoid introducing their own spin. That is not operative when you are chanting on your own. It is OK if you go up or down a note on alternate sentences or paragraphs. Just don't start using a pop melody!  

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