Miss Sidley's
Early Music Page
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What is Early Music?
Early music is any genre of European centered music
written before modern harmonic practice and before musical notation was
developed. It is generally accepted to be any music before the birth
of Johann
Sebastian Bach in 1685. This would include the music of the Ancient
Civilizations as well as the Medieval and Renaissance period.
Music of the Ancient Civilizations
The most commonly studied Ancient Civilizations
are the Greeks and Romans. Both of these cultures believed that music
was directly related to the Gods that they worshiped. The Greek God,
Pan is generally
given credit for creating the flute. The only instruments thought
to pre-date the flute are the voice and primitive percussion instruments..
The people of these cultures not only played flutes (reed pipes), but sang
in unison and had other simple instruments such as the lute and aulos (a
relative of the oboe). To learn more about early musical instruments,
see the links below.
For more information on Greek
Gods, click here .
Music of the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages, or medieval
period in music is marked by the beginning of Feudalism in Europe.
This is the longest period in musical history running from 500-1430.
Much of the music during this period was never written. Common people
who could not read or write played and sang for entertainment. The
few people who were rich enough to write their music were the nobility
who preserved the music of the court, Chanson and Motets; and the church
which preserved the Gregorian Chant Masses. Most of today's instruments
existed in their earliest forms during this period (the only exception
was the saxophone). Click on the topics below to learn more about
Medieval life.
Music of the Renaissance
At the end of the Middle Ages (also known as the Dark Ages), the Greek
and Roman cultures were recovered and there was a reawakening of the human
spirit. Arts and Music focused on earthly matters and became more
vibrant and animated. Symphonies and Operas began to develop, though
traveling and court musicians were still the rule. Take a virtual
field trip to the Renaissance
by clicking on the word.
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Please email me.
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This page was created on 7/1/98 by:
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Lisa Sidley, Visual and Performing Arts Teacher
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Milford
High School; Milford, DE 19963
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CLICK
HERE to view my sources.
