1. Music in the Middle Ages

2. Music in the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages or Medieval Period spans from

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Musicians

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. Guido d’ Arezzo photos

14. Lute
Lute

15. Harp