Please note that the sound files do not always follow the order of the graphic shown on this page. This is intentional and meant to rescue you from the habit of rote repetition. So please listen to the file and try to match the order of the tropes shown below. Have fun. And remember–the trope melody for Torah is the same as the melody for chanting the V’ahavta and Vayomer paragraphs in the Sh’ma. So keep that in mind.
Sof Pasuk Phrases: the “period” at the end of each verse (pasuk) of Torah
Etnachta Phrases: the “semi colon” dividing the verse into two
Katon Phrases: These are the “commas.” There can be one, two or many. Their form depends on the length of the phrase and which word(s) is emphasized.
Related to these are Y’tiv Phrases:
and the Zakef Gadol:
Revi’i Phrases: These add a little flavor to the text, descending. Less common than the previous three types of trope, phrase, the revi’i is still pretty common. The shape resembles a slinky slowly descending a flight of carpeted stairs.
Tevir Phrases: These add flavor as well. The shape of the melody is best described as ice cream being scooped out from a tub!
Segol Phrases: Segols get more complex, calling the listener’s attention to what’s being chanted. Used judiciously, they are much rarer than the above phrases.
Gershayim Phrases: Slightly backwards sounding.
Telisha K’tanah Phrases: Often precedes Kadma-Azla-Revi’i phrases
Please note the direction of the “magnifying-glass” shaped trope symbol contrasted with the Telisha G’dola symbol:
Shalshelet: Very, very rare. Only a tiny handful of them in the entire Torah!
There are other, even less common phrases. If you run into one in a reading, let me know and I’ll show you how.
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