1. THE RENAISSANCE

2. The Renaissance Period lasted from about 1450 to 1600 AD Renaissance means “Rebirth”. Art, music, literature, and architecture were all changing immensely.

3. Church music started to become more complex. A type of song called a “canon” was used. In a canon, the melody overlaps itself. What is another name for this type of song? A “Round”

4. During the Renaissance, written music started to spread outside the realm of the most powerful organization of the Medieval Period. What was this organization? The Roman Catholic Church

5. Now, music that had non-religious topics was being written with the music notation that the monks invented. The music included topics that we still write about today.

6. This kind of non-religious music is called “secular.”

7. The writers of secular music were called troubadours, while the people who played or sang it were called minstrels. What’s their names today? Composers and musicians

8. An important invention during this time made people more informed of good music and good composers. This invention also made it easier to obtain music for entertainment in the home.

9. It was invented in 1436 by a 39 year old German man named Johann Gutenberg. Before the development of this time-saving and economical machine, monks & composers had to hand copy everything. This time-consuming and tedious process made written music extremely hard to come by, and very expensive. This invention was a great improvement over hand- copying. The Printing Press

10. The Printing Press made it easier and faster to print music for public sale. Music could now be printed.

11. Music could now be sold. The printing press eventually led to the invention of the “Newspaper.” Now people could read about a good composer and buy his music for personal use.

12. Most of the Medieval instruments were poorly made and out of tune. But now, with more advanced science, better instruments were being… and Manufactured Invented

13. There are many music groups around today that celebrate Renaissance music with Renaissance instruments. The group pictured here is called the “Jubilatores.”

14. One of the most popular instruments of the renaissance was similar to the guitar. Listen to this instrument. Lute

15. This is the ancestor of the bassoon. Listen to a group of them playing. Dulcian

16. Here are two brass instruments that were used during this period. The one on the left did not have a slide yet, and the one on the right did not have valves yet. Can you guess what they are? Trombone and trumpet

17. This beautiful instrument used raven quills to pluck the strings. It was very popular until the piano took its place many years later. Harpsichord

18. The End