THE MEDIEVAL ERA

SACRED VS SECULAR Sacred = music of the church Sacred = music of the church Secular = music anywhere else, popular music Secular = music anywhere else, popular music

MEDIEVAL MUSIC Earliest music Earliest music Very simple Very simple Vocal music Vocal music Instruments started to be introduced later into this time period Instruments started to be introduced later into this time period

SACRED MUSIC Mostly vocal music (no instruments at first) Mostly vocal music (no instruments at first) Small ranges Small ranges Music mostly had one or two parts Music mostly had one or two parts There were no marked rhythms There were no marked rhythms “chant music” “chant music”

CHANT MUSIC Unaccompanied vocal music Unaccompanied vocal music One part sung in unison One part sung in unison Sacred latin text Sacred latin text Text was a part of the church service Text was a part of the church service No meter or rhythm No meter or rhythm Alternated between choir and soloists Alternated between choir and soloists

SECULAR MUSIC Troubadours Troubadours Active in Southern France Active in Southern France Mostly poetry set to music Mostly poetry set to music Love songs Love songs Usually used instruments to accompany Usually used instruments to accompany Little music was written down Little music was written down Performed by all classes of society Performed by all classes of society

MORE SECULAR MUSIC Touveres and Minnesingers Touveres and Minnesingers Mixed tradition of troubadors and sacred music Mixed tradition of troubadors and sacred music Northern France and Germany Northern France and Germany Many composers adopted this style Many composers adopted this style

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Used to accompany dance music Used to accompany dance music Instruments were divided into two groups Instruments were divided into two groups Hauts – loud instruments (shawn, cornetto, drums) Hauts – loud instruments (shawn, cornetto, drums) Bas – soft instruments (flute, recorder, harp, lute) Bas – soft instruments (flute, recorder, harp, lute)

EARLY MUSIC NOTATION Neumes began in the 10 th century Neumes began in the 10 th century 11 th century neumes were given height to indicate some pitch level 11 th century neumes were given height to indicate some pitch level Eventually a one line staff was used Eventually a one line staff was used

COMPOSERS

HILDEGARD OF BINGEN One of the few composers who we identify with composing chant music One of the few composers who we identify with composing chant music Woman Woman Founded a convent near Bingen, Germany Founded a convent near Bingen, Germany

LEONIN Part of the Clergy at Notre Dame of Paris Part of the Clergy at Notre Dame of Paris Composed organum Composed organum Type of music used in special services Type of music used in special services

MACHAUT Most important composer of 14 th century Most important composer of 14 th century Composed sacred and secular music Composed sacred and secular music “Mass of our Lady” (Mass of Notre Dame) “Mass of our Lady” (Mass of Notre Dame) Best known composition of medieval music Best known composition of medieval music Whole mass was in 4 part vocal music Whole mass was in 4 part vocal music

THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT THE MEDIEVAL ERA Sacred Music v. Secular Music Sacred Music v. Secular Music Few instruments, mostly vocal music Few instruments, mostly vocal music Machaut composed during the Medieval Era Machaut composed during the Medieval Era

TO SUM UP… composers.html composers.html