Music in the Middle Ages 400-1450

Music in the Middle Ages The Middle Ages or Medieval Period spans from 400-1450

The Classes There were three classes of people in the Middle Ages 1. Nobility 2. Clergy 3. Peasants The majority of people were peasants. They ate little more than black bread and turnips. Peasants rarely lived past 30 years old.

Music in the Middle Ages Music was mostly confined to the Roman Catholic Church Most musicians were monks or priests Written music symbols were developed The first notes were called Neumes

Medieval Instruments Medieval instruments included the lute (like the guitar) Percussion instruments (drums & tambourines) Recorders of many different sizes

Gregorian Chant Most vocal music in the Middle Ages was sung in the church. Pope Gregory put together a collection of plainsong chants (single melody line music) These Chants were sung only by men during worship services. Non-religious music was very limited and mostly performed by traveling minstrels

Writing Music Musicians did not have much freedom when writing music. They had to write what the Church leaders wanted them to write. A few composers wrote some non-religious music “on the side”, in their free time.

Musicians

Monophonic Music Sung throughout the middle ages Music consisting of one melody either sung or played on an instrument Rhythm was often not notated Melodies are often long and flowing The structure of instrumental music is based on repeating sections

Polyphonic music Started in the Late Middle Ages Voices and instruments were often mixed – consisting of two or more lines of music Non-imitative counterpoint Rhythms are often restless and active Pieces are often built on a cantus firmus, and the structure is formed from repetitions of that melody

GUILLAUME DE MACHAUT Born: c.1300. Rheims(?), France Died: April 13, 1377. Rheims, France French poet and musician. Composer of monophonic and polyphonic music Messe de Nostre Dame

Guido d’Arezzo Born about 991 and died about 1033 Monk who was educated Developed Music Theory Began writing music down so others could learn it by reading music, not by just hearing it. Teaching technique called the “Guidonian Hand” Wrote the book “Micrologus de disciplina artis musicae” (The study of the discipline of music) First music theory book

Guido d’ Arezzo photos

Lute Lute

Harp