Music From The

Medieval

&

Renaissance

Periods

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Medieval Music

The Medieval Period in music is considered to include music from

the birth of Christianity until around 1450. Although this covers

many years, the pace of change in music during this time was

relatively slow. The musical features that were present at this time

included the Modal System, Plainchant and Organum.

Example of MEDIEVAL MUSIC

The Renaissance Period lasted from 1450 to around 1600 and saw

the musical features and developmental changes increase.

Example of RENAISSANCE MUSIC

The System Of MODES

Music during the Medieval and Renaissance Period was very

different to what we are used to in the 20th century.

Tonality as we know it did not exist (i.e. Major & Minor,)

Music during the Medieval period was based on a System of

Modes of which there are 12.

Music of this period was therefore Modal.

The system of Modes is thought to have originated in Greece

where an attempt was made to put available sounds into order.

Example of MODAL

The ‘Authentic’ Modes

Ionian

Dorian

Phrygian

Lydian

Mixolydian

Aeolian

Example of MODES

The Six Modes In Notation

Example of MODES

Modes continued…

The ordering of the notes slowly evolved throughout the

early centuries, and by the time of Pope Gregory (540 -

604) had developed into 12 Modes which musicians are

familiar with today.

The system of Modes presented a major breakthrough in

the history of tonality with the earliest Harmonised

music - where two or more notes sound together - (from

around 900 - 1450) - being based entirely on these

modes.

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Plainchant and Organum

Plainchant is also known as Plainsong and Gregorian Chant.

It consists of an unaccompanied melody set to words of the Roman Catholic

liturgy, such as the Mass.

Plainchants are Modal and have no regular metre.

They follow the rhythm of the Latin words.

Where there is an additional line, in other words another part, this is called

Organum.

The additional part is normally the interval of a fourth or a fifth below the

original line.

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Example of PLAINCHANT

The Mass

The Mass is a Sacred Choral Work using the main sections of

the Roman Catholic liturgy. It is usually sung A Capella, and

can include other forms, such as the Motet.

Mauchaut’s setting “Messes de Notre Dame” from the 13th

century is one of the earliest Polyphonic settings of the

sections which make up the Ordinary of the Mass - Kyrie,

Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei.

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Example of a MASS

Recorder

This family of instruments has no reed

at all, therefore the timbre is soft and

pure.

Recorders were very popular in the

Tudor period. They were made in

various sizes, and households used to

own a ‘Chest of Recorders.’

It was Arnold Dolmetsch who

encouraged the modern use of

Recorders.

Return To Instrument Chart

Shawm

Shawms were in existence in the Middle Ages.

They were made in seven sizes.

At a later stage they were called ‘Hautbois’.

These instruments were the forerunners of our present

oboe.

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Crumhorn

The Crumhorn, was by far the most

common, and possibly the most

popular of the reed-cap instruments.

It has a slender, hooked tube shape.

The name means literally ‘curved

horn.’

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Trumpet

The development of the modern Trumpet can be

traced back over thousands of years. All the

major civilizations of the past produced

trumpets, although our knowledge of these

instruments relies more on contemporary

illustrations and sculptures than on surviving

instruments.

Most ancient Trumpets were straight or hooked

and had a long, almost cylindrical tube and a

slightly flaring bell.

Return To Instrument Chart

Sackbut

Sackbut was the name given to Trombones in the

Middle Ages.

The origin of the word ‘Sackbut’ remains uncertain.

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Instruments

Recorder Shawm

TrumpetCrumhorn

Sackbut

Early Woodwind & Brass Instruments:

Return To Chart

Can’t get enough…?

Click on the links below to visit these useful Websites

Liberton High School Music Department - Revision

Classical Music Education Sites

Ear Training

Essentials of Music - Medieval - 20th Century

Music From The

Medieval

&

Renaissance

Periods