The Middle Ages.

        The Middle Ages or Medieval Music

           In an exploration of medieval music, we encounter the the most distant and longest era of "real" musical history. Saint Gregory (Svaty Rehor in Czech) is credited with arranging a large number of choral works, which arose in the early centuries of Christianity in Europe. He was pope (Pope Gregory I) from the year 590 AD to 604 AD and from his name we get the term Gregorian chant. The Medieval era lasted until the 14th century, which means it covers a period of history of almost 1,000 years. 


         One problem, in fact an essential one, which has to be dealt with in the study of medieval music is that the system of musical notation developed only slowly, if it was even in use at all. The first preserved finds of musical notation come from the 9th century. Rhythmic notation wasn't developed until the 12th - 13th century

 Gregorian chant is monophonic, that is, music composed with only one melodic line without accompaniment. The authors of the melodies of the Gregorian chants remain unknown. As with the melodies of folk music, the chants probably changed as they were passed down orally from generation to generation. 



    Middle ages Music Instruments.

-Stringed Musical Instruments in the Middle AgesThe Harp - The harp was a favorite instrument of the troubadours and minstrels and was about 30 inches in length

• The Fiddle - There were a variety of Medieval Fiddles which were played with a bow or plucked and usually held under the chin or in the crook of the arm. Easily portable and one of the most popular street musical instruments
• The Rebec - The rebec was an instrument with a round pear-shaped body much like an early violin
• The Psaltery - The Psaltery was a musical instrument of the Middle Ages which was a cross between a harp and a guitar
• The Dulcimer - The Dulcimer was played by striking the strings with small hammers
• The Hurdy-gurdy - the hurdy-gurdy was introduced to England during the 12th century - the bow was replaced by strings attached to a wheel which was cranked by a handle
• The Viol - Viols were played with a bow and held on the lap or between the legs

-Wind Musical Instruments in the Middle Ages

• The Flute - Similar to our modern flutes. This type of Musical instruments played by flute-minstrels of the Middle Ages
• The Trumpet - Long instrument made of metal, often in four parts - often associated with fanfares and pageants
• The Pipe - The pipe was an extremely basic instrument usually having only three melody holes
• The Shawn - The shawn was a reed instrument with vent holes
• Recorder - The recorder was also an extremely basic instrument with melody holes
• The Bagpipe - The Bagpipe was an ancient instrument, used by the poorest people and was made using a goat or sheep skin and a reed pipe
• The Crumhorn - The crumhorm (Curved Horn) was introduced in the 1400's as a double reed musical instrument
• The Gemshorn - The gemshorn was made of an ox horn and played as a flute-like musical instrument
• The Lizard - The lizard was a descriptive term for an s-shaped horn

-Percussion Musical Instruments in the Middle Ages

• The Drum - Drums were made initially from a hollow tree trunk, clay or metal and covered by skins of water animals - also called tambours
• The Cymbal - Thin round concave metal plates
• The Triangle - The triangle was a musical instrument introduced during the 14th century
• The Tambourine - This Musical instrument was traditionally used by a woman

         Important Composers 

Hildegard von Bingen	(1098 - 1179)
Perotin	(1155 - 1377)
Guillame de Machau	(1300 - 1377)
John Dumstable	(1385 - 1453)
Guillame Dufay	(1400 - 1474

Medieval Music