Ancient and Medieval Music History: Key Concepts

Ancient Music: Foundations and Theory (BC to 500 AD)

What are the approximate years of the Ancient Music period?

The Ancient Music period spans approximately BC to 500 AD.

How did music develop over time?

As technology and culture changed, so did music.

What do we know about ancient Greek music?

Our knowledge comes primarily from art (vases) and writings.

Do we know exactly how ancient Greek music sounded?

No, we do not have any recordings.

Describe the ancient Greek culture.

The ancient Greeks were an advanced society in many aspects, including:

• Architecture
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Music

Who was Pythagoras and what was his role in music?

Pythagoras was a Greek mathematician who connected math with music, laying the groundwork for musical intervals and tuning.

Define Aulos.

The Aulos was the principal woodwind instrument of ancient Greece.

Greek Modes and the Doctrine of Ethos

What are Greek modes?

Greek modes are defined as the Greek scale of 8 tones, beginning on each note of the C Major scale with no sharps or flats.

What is the Greek mode for the Major scale?

Ionian.

What is the Greek mode for the Minor scale?

Aeolian.

Why are these two modes so important?

They became today’s Major and Minor scales.

What is the Doctrine of Ethos?

The Doctrine of Ethos is the idea that each of the modes inspires a different feeling (or character) in the listener.

The Medieval Era (500–1400 AD)

What was the Medieval time period?

500–1400 AD.

What historical events marked the transition to the Medieval Era?

Key factors included:

• The Plague
• The Fall of the Roman Empire
• Invaders

What was the Church’s role in the Medieval time period?

The Church was very powerful, and that power extended significantly to music.

Define sacred music.

Sacred music is religious music.

Define secular music.

Secular music is non-religious, worldly music.

What was the first rhythm instrument?

Hand-clapping, because it did not have to be invented.

Medieval Music Forms and Composers

Define Gregorian chant.

Gregorian chant is:

• Sacred, unaccompanied, monophonic music.
• The rhythm was flexible.
• It is named after Pope Gregory I.

Who is Hildegard of Bingen?

Hildegard of Bingen was an abbess (nun) who wrote Gregorian chant. She is recognized as the first woman composer from whom a large number of works survive.

What was the School of Notre Dame?

The School of Notre Dame refers to both the Cathedral in Paris, France, and a significant style of composing that developed there around 1200 AD.

Key aspects of the School of Notre Dame:

• Composers included Léonin and Pérotin.
• They were crucial in developing notated rhythm and pitch.
• They invented organum (polyphonic music).

Define organum and explain its importance.

Organum is defined as Gregorian chant plus an original line of music, resulting in two lines of music.

It is important because it represents the first documented POLYPHONIC Music (music with multiple independent melodic lines).

Song Bank: Musical Examples

Examples of Ancient Instruments:

• Example of an aulos (sounds like a bagpipe)
• Example of a cithara (sounds like a guitar)

Examples of Medieval Music:

• “O successores” – Hildegard of Bingen (Gregorian chant, sung by women and written by a woman composer)
• “Alleluia: Vidimus Stellam” (Gregorian chant, typically sung by men)
• “Sumer is Icumen In” (Secular music, characterized by instruments and a strong beat)
• “Alleluia: Nativitas” – Pérotin (Organum, featuring men singing in a style described as "laughing," having a beat and two lines of music)