Musical Elements of Medieval Music

Study Notes

Western music tradition originated in Europe during the Medieval period (400 CE - 1400 CE).
Sacred music in this era was largely oral, with compositions not written down.
Roman Catholic Church utilized plainsong or plainchant, performed without instruments.
Male voices sang in unison, producing monophonic music lacking harmony.
Neumes were used to notate music, indicating pitch and melody on single syllables.
Different styles of notation for Gregorian chant include:
- Syllabic: one note per syllable.
- Neumatic: groups of notes for one syllable.
- Melismatic: many notes for one syllable, combining several neumes.
- Psalmodic: many syllables for one note.
Scales comprised of seven distinct tones, plus an octave that replicates the first note.
Authentic modes: Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and Mixolydian.
Plagal modes: Hypodorian, Hypophrygian, Hypolydian, and Hypomixolydian.

Early church polyphony established by composers like Pérotin and Léonin, incorporating Gregorian chant with additional musical lines.
Polyphony can include compositions with three to four vocal parts.
Isorhythmic motets feature a recurring rhythmic pattern called talea in the tenor line.
Composers created polyphonic music for the Roman Catholic Mass with sections focusing on either proper or ordinary texts.
Troubadours and trouveres served as traveling musician-composers, creating songs around themes like love and dance.
Adam le Bossu, a notable poet and composer in the 1280s, best known for the play "Le Jeu de Robin et de Marion."

Trumpet: Long metal instrument mainly for fanfares.
Sackbut: Resembles a trombone, used in various contexts.
Bagpipe: Ancient instrument made from animal skin with a reed pipe.
Shawn: Instrument with a reed producing sound through vibration against lips.
Tabor: Small drum made from tree trunk or metal and animal skin, played in pairs.
Nakers: Drum instruments often paired.
Flute: Popular amongst minstrels for travel.
Recorder: Woodwind instrument similar to a flute.
Harp: A favorite among troubadours and minstrels.
Fiddle: Bowed or plucked string instrument.
Lute: Pear-shaped plucked string instrument with fretted fingerboard.

Music can still be classified as such even without harmony; melody, rhythm, and texture also define it.
Harmony adds complexity but is not essential for the essence of music.