A Musicological Journey

Mollie Cale

MUSIC

The

th 15

Century

The 15th century was a time that we call the Middle Ages. The Middle ages saw a change in the English culture. The Dark Ages led society to lack elegance or refinement. (much like today) The Medieval music consisted of the secular music of the church. The Crusades led to a new and unprecedented interest in beautiful objects like poetry, music and elegant manners. Where have the Middle Ages gone? I miss them so. Middle Ages music in Europe was influenced by Arab love songs. The ideals of courtly love were introduced further influencing the content and styles of the music of the Middle Ages. Music was extremely important to the people who lived during the Medieval era, especially in the royal courts of the Middle Ages.

Musical Instruments of the Middle Ages

The oldest musical instrument played by Minstrels, Knights, and Troubadours was the human voice! (Knights not only had to be able to fight, but to woo their lady with music) Wind Musical Instruments were instruments which were blown like trumpets or bagpipes. Stringed Musical Instruments were instruments which were played with a bow or plucked. Percussion Musical Instruments were various forms of drums and bells.

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

crumhorn

lizard Flute

trumpet

pipe

Shawm

recorder

bagpipe

Gemshorn

The 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

fiddle Hurdy gurdy harp

rebec

psaltery

dulcimer viol

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

Drum Triangle

Cymbal Tambourine

MUSIC

The

th 16

Century

This Music was more like the Renaissance Music. The growing emphasis on individualism during the Renaissance began a change of status for composers of music in society. Renaissance composers were recognized often during their lifetimes. In comparison with medieval music, Renaissance harmony was more unrestrained and more expressive - the period between Josquin Deprez and Palestrina is known as "the golden age of polyphony. Imitation - where one musical line shares or imitates the same musical theme of the preceeding line - became an important polyphonic technique. Imitation was used to introduce complexitities by simpler means and at the same time give listeners the ability to perceive the structureof the composition. Polyphonic imitation can be heard in the masses and motets of practically all the composers beginning with Desprez, and in the instrumantal music of William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, and Andrea and Giovanni Gabrielli.

Musical Instruments of The 16th Century

th 17

Century Music

Its derived from the Italian barocco, meaning bizarre, though probably exuberant would be a better translation more accurately reflecting the sense. The usage of this term originated in the 1860s to describe the highly decorated style of 17th and 18th century religious and public buildings in Italy, Germany and Austria, as typified by the very baroque angelic organist adorning the Gottfried Silbermann organ completed in 1714 for the Cathedral in Freiberg, Saxony. Later, during the early to mid 1900s, the term baroque was applied by association to music of the 17th and early 18th century, and today the term baroque has come to refer to a very clearly definable type or genre of music which originated, broadly speaking, around 1600 and came to fruition between 1700 and 1750.

17th Century Musical Instruments

Clavichord The clavichord produced sound by striking a metal wedge striking against a string when a key was pressed. The sound quality was weak, but the instrument was able to produce some dynamics. It was mainly used in Germany and usually played as a solo instrument or in a small ensemble. Organ The Baroque organ was more powerful than its predecessor, the Renaissance organ. Organs were mostly associated with church music and used as solo instruments or accompaniment instruments. A vast growth in organ literature took place during this period. Harpsichord The Harpsichord was very popular and was known by various names in different parts of Europe. In Italy, it was called aclavicembalo . In England, it was referred to as a virginal. In France it was termed a clavecen , and in Germany, it was named klavier . The harpsichord usually had two manuals or keyboards. It's tone was produced with quills which plucked the strings mechanically every time a key was pressed. The tone of the harpsichord was stronger than the clavichord but it could not produce dynamics. The harpsichord was the main instrument employed in the basso continuo. It is one of the most distinctive sounds of the Baroque Era and was the most favored instrument in solo music.

Cont
String Instruments The principal string instruments of the 1600s were the viol family. The new violin family of instruments slowly replaced them. The violin soon became the new leader of the stringed instruments, and its sound became the dominant timbre in late Baroque ensemble music. The bass viol commonly known as the contrabass, or double bass was still utilized, even though the other viols died out. During the 1600s, the lute started to lose its dominance in the music world. A few pieces of lute music were still being produced, mainly in France and Germany. Wind Instruments During the Baroque era the principal woodwind instruments used were the bassoon, flute, and oboe. Older end-blown recorders were still in use during the late Baroque period. The transverse flute started to become a common solo and ensemble instrument. Brass instruments such as horns, trumpets, and trombones were used in large ensembles, but rarely as solo instruments. Percussion Instruments Timpani were the only percussion instruments in common use at this time. They were used sparingly in the orchestra.

th 18

Century

These are the Characteristics of Classical Music 1. Less complicated texture than Baroque (more homophonic). 2. Emphasis on beauty, elegance and balance. 3. More variety and contrast within a piece than Baroque (dynamics, instruments, pitch, tempo, key, mood and timbre). 4. Melodies tend to be shorter than those in baroque, with clear-cut phrases, and clearly marked cadences. 5. The orchestra increases in size and range. The harpsichord fails out of use. The woodwind becomes a self-contained section. 6. The piano takes over, often with Alberti bass accompaniment. 7. Importance was given to instrumental music - sonata, trio, string quartet, symphony, concerto. 8. Sonata form was the most important design.

th 18

Century Instruments

MUSIC

Classical Orchestra
The orchestra usually consisted of ~One or two flutes ~Two oboes ~Two clarinets ~Two bassoons ~Two horns ~Two trumpets ~Two kettledrums ~Strings

The

th 19

Century Music

This was the romantic era. The word romanticism was first used to describe new ideas in painting and literature, towards the end of the 18th century. This word was later taken up by musicians, to describe the changes in musical style, which took place soon after the turn of the century. Unlike Classical composers, Romantic composers aimed for a store powerful expression of emotion, often revealing their innermost thoughts and feelings. Romantic music is not just about the emotion of love, it can also be about hate or death (positive or negative feelings). Many Romantic composers took an interest in art and literature: ~Far off lands ~The distant past ~Dreams ~Night and moonlight ~Rivers, lakes and forests ~Nature and the seasons ~The joy and pain of love ~Fairy tales ~The supernatural ~Magic

Characteristics of Romanticism
Freedom of form and design. It was more personal and emotional. Song-like melodies (lyrical), as well as many chromatic harmonies and discords. Dramatic contrasts of dynamics and pitch. Big orchestras, due mainly to brass and the invention of the valve. Wide variety of pieces (i.e. songs up to five hour Wagner operas) Program music (music that tells a story) Shape was brought to work through the use of recurring themes. Great technical virtuosity. Nationalism (a reaction against German influence)

The Orchestra
The romantic orchestra consisted of ~ flute ~ oboe ~ clarinet ~ bassoon ~ horn ~ strings ~ trumpet ~ kettle drums ~ piccolo ~ cor anglais ~ bass clarinet ~ double bassoon

Romantic Musical Instruments

MUSIC

th 20

Century Music TYPES

There are way to many types of music to write on each. Rock Country Jazz Blues Reggae R&B Salsa Hip Hop Rap Disco and Many MORE

20th Century Music

st 21

Century Music TYPES

THIS IS WHAT YOU HEAR ON THE RADIO!!!!!

Examples
An example of music you hear today is Jenifer Lopezs Hit On The Floor. There is also Katy Perrys E.T. Or There is also, one of my personal favorites by LMFAO. It is.

PARTY ROCK ANTHEM