From the origins to the end of the Middle Ages
The first forms of music in British Isles were Celtic music. At the beginning of the 5 th century, the Anglo- Saxons arrived in Great-Britain. They brought with them their music.
At the end of the 6 th century, there has been the evangelization of the Great Britain. Introduction of the Gregorian chant by the monks. Great source of inspiration for the composers.
The ecclesiastical music was used in church and in religious ceremonies. There is written sources, contrary to secular music. Appearance of a Celtic liturgical chant through the separate development of the Church of England.
Tradition of bards in Ireland and Wales. Singing of secular music used first Latin. This kind of music was orally transmitted. Development through the troubadours and minstrels of France.
Classical music
Baroque period 1600 to 1750 Orchestras and opera Purcell and Haendel
Classical period 1750 to 1800 Less complex melodies European masterpieces
Romantic period 1800 to 1900 More folk Bigger orchestras
Modern British Popular/Rock Music 1950’s to 2000’s ROLLING STONES BEATLES
1950’s Jazz – From America, Begun to play in in British Skiffle – Mix of Jazz, Blues and Country British Rock and Roll – Based on American, Most important key of the British Invasion
1960’s Beat Music – New way to play British rock like The Beatles Blues Boom – British way, which marks the long history of the British rock ‘n’ roll Psychedelic Rock – Inspired of the hallucinogen drugs
British Invasion What – The massive introduction of British bands in America in 60’s Begin – Beatles did a tour in America and passed at the Ed Sullivan Show End – 1966 the Americans will see this movement with a bad eye and write veritable bad reviews
1970’s Progressive Rock – Characterized by complex instrumental techniques, composition and texts Hard Rock – Inspired by rock and psychedelic, Big presence of bass, guitar and drum Glam Rock – ‘‘glamorous’’ rock, return at the sources of the rock and ‘‘embellish’’ it
1980’s The 1980’s is a decade of return Post-Punk – Echo based on the punk movement in 1960’s Heavy Metal – Kind of Hard Rock, Its peak is in 1980’s but it appeared in 1960’s
1990’s Shoegazing – Near of the Dream Pop, Characterized by rhythmic guitar with a lot of effects like distortion and fuzz Post Rock – Kind of Rock but more experimental : instrumentation of the rock with mew melodies and rhythm
2000’s New Rave – Big mix of Rock, Hip-Hop, Electro and Funk which appeared in It present many similarities with the American Dance-Punk