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Questions and Answers
Which of the following statements best reflects Plato's concept of 'ideal forms' as applied to music?
Which of the following statements best reflects Plato's concept of 'ideal forms' as applied to music?
- An ideal version of music exists as a paradigm, and earthly music is merely an imperfect reflection of this. (correct)
- The perfect performance of a musical piece can only be achieved through improvisation.
- Musical compositions should strictly adhere to mathematical ratios to achieve perfection.
- Musical instruments should be crafted from ideal materials to produce perfect sound.
According to Greek theorists like Aristoxenus, musical scales were primarily derived from dividing the octave into equal semitones.
According to Greek theorists like Aristoxenus, musical scales were primarily derived from dividing the octave into equal semitones.
False (B)
Explain the significance of the 'Pythagorean comma' in the context of early music theory.
Explain the significance of the 'Pythagorean comma' in the context of early music theory.
The Pythagorean comma represents the discrepancy between the sum of twelve perfect fifths and seven octaves, revealing the impossibility of creating a perfectly tuned system using only perfect intervals.
The Greek term 'Mousike' encompasses music, poetry, and ______.
The Greek term 'Mousike' encompasses music, poetry, and ______.
Match each Greek term with its corresponding definition:
Match each Greek term with its corresponding definition:
Flashcards
Mousike
Mousike
In ancient Greece, this refers to music combined with words; a unified art form.
Pythagorean Intervals
Pythagorean Intervals
A system developed by Pythagoras defining musical intervals based on mathematical ratios.
Diesis
Diesis
The smallest perceptible interval; the difference between a perfect octave and three stacked pure major thirds.
Melos
Melos
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Ethos
Ethos
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Study Notes
- Classical Antiquity includes works such as Aristotle’s "Poetics" and Plato’s "The Republic".
Plato and Ideal Forms
- Plato’s “The Republic” describes the realm of ideal forms.
- An ideal version exists for everything.
- Changes in music equates to social change.
- Ethos means that music affects one's character.
- The Doctrine of imitation means music imitates one's character.
- Dorian modes are masculine, Lydian modes are feminine.
- Apollo is the patron of strings specifically the Kithara.
- Dionysus is the patron of winds specifically the Aulos.
- Melos includes melody, text, and harmonia.
- Mousike is described as music with words
- Greek music is monophonic in texture.
Greek Theory
- Pythagoras created "perfect" intervals based on whole number ratios.
- Unison = 1:1.
- Octave = 2:1.
- Perfect Fifth = 3:2.
- Perfect Fourth = 4:3.
- Major Second = 9:8.
- Pythagorean comma is when the sum of octaves doesn’t equal sum of fifths.
- The Tritone is a result of the comma.
- Aristoxenus describes Diastematic movement made of tones and intervals between those tones
- A "Scale" is 3 or more notes.
- Constructs tetrachords (Diatonic, Enharmonic, Chromatic)
- Stacked tetrachords = Greater Perfect System
- Cleonides combines diatonic tetrachords to form Species.
- Species of fourths and fifths combined form greek modes.
- Tonoi = Dorian, Lydian, Phyrigian
Epitaph of Seikilos
- A complete song recovered from the period.
- An Epigram is a short poem set to music.
- The song is about enjoying life while it lasts.
Notation
- Notation is generally not useful because things were primarily taught orally.
- Vocal notation (Lexis) differs from instrumental notation.
- Diesis is the difference between a perfect octave and 3 stacked pure major thirds.
- Rhythm follows poetry.
- Duration signs are placed above the symbol.
- Protos Chronos is a basic duration.
- Diapason = octave, Diapente = fifth, Diatesseron = fourth.
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