Manualiter is a Latin term that is spelled as "mænjuːəˈlaɪtər" in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The spelling of this word is derived from its pronunciation in Latin, which is "mah-new-ah-LEE-ter." The term, which translates to "by hand" in English, is frequently used in music to indicate that a particular section of a piece should be played manually on an instrument. Precise spelling and pronunciation are essential to ensure effective communication in any field, including music.
Manualiter is a Latin term that is commonly used in the field of musicology to describe a specific technique employed in organ playing. The term itself is derived from the Latin words "manualis" (meaning manual) and "iter" (meaning way or manner), thus signifying a manual way of playing.
In a broader sense, manualiter refers to the act of playing the organ with the hands only, excluding the use of the pedals. This technique typically involves the organist utilizing only the keys of the manual (keyboard) to play both the melodic lines and accompanying harmonies.
Manualiter playing can be traced back to the Middle Ages and was particularly popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, when organs were primarily constructed with only one manual. Organists mastered the art of manualiter playing, often employing intricate fingerwork and virtuosic techniques to create complex and rich musical textures.
It is important to note that the technique of manualiter playing was largely dependent on the skill and dexterity of the organist, as it required the ability to simultaneously play various voices and harmonies using only the hands.
The term "manualiter" is also used in relation to the notation of organ music. In sheet music, specific indications such as "manualiter" or "manual" were commonly used to instruct the organist to perform a passage on the manuals only, without utilizing the pedals.
Overall, manualiter can be understood as a technique and notation style associated with organ playing, focusing on the skilled execution of music using the manuals without the assistance of the pedals.
The word manualiter comes from the Latin term manus, meaning hand. The suffix -iter denotes the adverbial form, thus manualiter translates to by hand or manually.