By; Christopher Trevino

-Music was a VERY important and common form of entertainment -Music could be played by upper classmen and lower classmen -Music gained it’s popularity from Church. Everyone in town went to church, which lead to the popularity of hymns and secular songs. MUSIC

-Music was used with poems, and later Theatre adopted the usage of music. -Famous playwright, William Shakespeare, reflected the importance of music during this period. He made over 500 references to music in his plays/writings. -Shakespeare’s plays were categorized in three groups; Comedies, Tragedies and Histories -Each play had different genres of music to accompany it to show emotions of the scene/characters. THEATRE MUSIC

- New instruments such as the viol, hautboy and the harpsichord brought a new refined sound, and their popularity quickly grew throughout this era -Playing music/instruments was an essential skill in the court of Queen Elizabeth -Queen Elizabeth encouraged all kinds of arts, she mostly encouraged composers and musicians -Nobles were expected to be able to show their music abilities, as well as their dance skills REFINED COURT MUSIC

-Queen Elizabeth always had at least 70 musicians employed to play music for her and the rest of her subjects. -Her favorite composers included Thomas Campion, Robert Johnson, and William Byrd. -This genre varied because of traditions -Simple ballets to sophisticated madrigals, and solemn church music to energetic dance music -This music was usually played in the Great Halls of Castles and Palaces COURT MUSIC

-Voices in this genre created two distinct styles, Madrigal and Arye. -These genres ensured that England became sophisticated in the ways of Continental music. -This unique style’s high point was in the early 1500’s. -Included canzonets, ballets, and ‘sacred songs.’ -Famous musicians/writers in this type of music were Thomas Tallis, and William Byrd. CHURCH MUSIC

-In towns, official musicians were called Waits, like modern day bands. -These local bands were employed by the town and played for ceremonies and funerals. -Basically providing free concerts to everyone in town! TOWN MUSIC

-Traveling was discouraged during this music’s emergence because of the Bubonic Plague (The Black Death) -Elizabeth hired musicians to replace the minstrels that died from the plague. -These hired musicians played at festivals, feasts, fairs, and Religious ceremonies and events, even at markets! STREET MUSIC

A stringed, wooden, pear shaped body instrument, with a bent end. Most common instrument at the time. Made of a Table/Front (9 or 10 strings), body, neck (9-10 frets), and a head where the strings can be tightened/loosened for tuning. THE LUTE

Practically the same as a modern day piano, but when a key is played, the string is plucked (with a quill or plectrums) instead of struck with a hammer HARPSICHORD

Fretted finger board, similar to the Violin, but with 6 strings and a flat back. This instrument is played between the knees with a curved bow. It also has a piercing tone, but very quiet. VIOL

Woodwind reed instrument, similar to the hautboy or a clarinet. Made from one piece of wood, and had a sound almost to that of a trumpet. SHAWM

Similar to the lute, but with a flat back, not like a pear. The strings are wires that are plucked. Gittern are the same thing but made from more fine, expensive materials, making a better sound. CITTERN/GITTERN

Simple looking instrument, but very complex to learn. Metal wires were stretched across a board, struck with light hammers, definite, low sound. DULCIMER

Basics!

Basic 4/4 Timestamp Measure Receives 4 Beats Receives 1 beat Receives 2 beats

Pause/Rest for 1 beat Receives ½ of a beat A pair of eighth notes, receives 1 beat A pair of 4 eighth notes, recieves 2 beats