Ancient World Music Overview

Ancient World Music

• Ancient civilizations developed musical instruments and theories
• The bagpipe was a popular wind instrument, often made of goat or sheepskin
• Keyboards were invented through air pressure to move air to pipes
• Greeks developed musical theory, using horizontal and vertical lines to represent tones and harmony
• Pythagorus used a monochord to study the octave scale
• The Vedas (Hindu scriptures) described Indian classical music with instruments like the veena
• Early Chinese music included bells, stone slabs, and flutes

Ancient Greek Music

• Ancient Greek music theory defined music as tones, melody, and harmony
• Music theory used horizontal and vertical lines
• Greek musicians developed ways to write music using signs for each tone
• Pythagorus studied the octave scale using a monochord

Ancient Roman Music

• Romans developed the first brass instruments; for example, the cornu (Latin for horn)
• These instruments were often used for military and festivals

Ancient Assyrian Music

• Assyrian musicians were talented musicians
• The Hebrew musicians were valuable and their lives were saved when Assyrians captured the city of Nineveh
• The Bible describes Hebrews using musical instruments like the shofar in their worship

Ancient Hindu Music

• Ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas, mentioned Indian classical music and the veena
• The veena, a stringed instrument, was made from a hollow gourd

Ancient Chinese Music

• Ancient Chinese music utilized bronze bells, stone slabs, and flutes
• Confucius, a philosopher, promoted music as a symbol of harmony