Music notation allows us to see..
High and low notes
Short and Long notes
accented and unaccented notes
(also speed and volume but those came later)
Short and Long notes
accented and unaccented notes
(also speed and volume but those came later)
Gregorian chant
church music sung as a single vocal line in free rhythm and a restricted scale (plainsong)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe3QSdTQa7w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe3QSdTQa7w
Neumes
basic element of Western and Eastern systems of musical notation prior to the invention of five-line staff notation
What did Guido d’Arezzo do?
invented modern musical notation (ut-re-mi-fa-so-la) in the 11th century, so people no longer needed to memorise pieces, and could sing just from sight-reading
Cantus firmus
(“fixed song”), a pre-existing melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition
Organum
early polyphony of the late Middle Ages that consists of one or more voice parts accompanying the cantus firmus often in parallel motion at a fourth, fifth, or octave above or below
Ambrosian chant vs Gregorian chant
Ambrosian chant- originates from Northern Italy. Both are sung in unison, a capella, involving men’s voices. However Ambrosian chant is more free and meanders more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU4ycRzwqDc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU4ycRzwqDc
Hildegard of Bingen
A female music composer in the 12th century
Medieval period
5th to 15th centuries
Renaissance period
1300-1600
Guillaume de Machaut
Medieval composer; helped develop motets, secular (distinct from religion) music, and music for the mass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoUluGGJvhk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoUluGGJvhk
motet
one of the pre-eminent polyphonic forms of Renaissance music
Guillaume Dufay
Early renaissance composer; used systems such as writing polyphonic harmony over a simple chant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLwMEBlBBB4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLwMEBlBBB4
Monophonic texture
Single melodic line with no accompaniment, or everyone singing the same line
Homophonic texture
a texture with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords
Polyphonic texture
two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody
