Medieval

(200– 1400 AD)

A. General Facts and Historical Events

1.                  Civilizations become more distinct

2.                  1203 – Genghis Khan begins conquering and pillaging

3.                  1209 – St. Francis of Assisi forms order of brotherhood

4.                  1271 – Marco Polo begins journey to the Orient

5.                  1337 – Beginning of the 100 yr. war b/w France and England

6.                  1347- Black Death, 75 million people die (1/3 of the world)

7.                  1364 – Aztecs build capital city of Tenochtitlan

B.     Music Facts

1.                  We begin to divide into different styles of music according to region

2.                  Western music (European) develops around 300 AD

3.                  The music of the Roman church becomes the basis for Western music

C.   Chant

1.                  600 AD Pope Gregory I collected chants and arranged them in the order they are sung today

2.                  also called plainchant

3.                  notated by Guido d’Arezzo (also created solfege) - staff had 4 lines and square notes

4.                  a cappella and unison

5.                  sung in Latin, text from Bible

6.                  no printing press, 1 large song book for everyone

7.                  900 AD Music became more eleaborate and 2 parts develop

D.      Sacred vs. Secular – religious vs. non-religious

1.                  Common themes in secular music

a.                   emotions – love

b.                  daily life – farming

2.                  How music was used

a.                   to express emotions

b.                  for entertainment

c.                   to praise God

E.    Composers

1.                  Anonymous

2.                  Perotin

3.                  Leonin

F.   Instruments

1.            Use of Instruments

a.                   to imitate voices (sacred)

b.                  used for dances (secular)

2.            Instruments

a.                   lutes – early guitars

b.                  harps

c.                   strings (cellos, violin)

d.                  recorders

e.                   dulcimer

 Lesson Ideas

v     Listen to music from different regions:  Asian, Middle Eastern, African, Gregorian Chant, and Aztec music

v     Create notation system:

o       Explain to students that they live in a time when music has never been written down.

o       They must create their own notation system. They can not use the staves or notes.

o       Their symbols should be based on the theme for their song.

o       They must give the song a title.

o       Must be typed in powerpoint, word, or any draw program.

  Rubric:

§ 20 points – long/short values

§         20 points – hi/low pitches

§         10 points – key that defines the symbols

§         10 points – rests

§         10 points – originality

§         10 points – artistry

§         10 points – title

§         10 points - legibility

Prehistoric	Medieval	Renaissance
Baroque	Classical	Romantic
	20th Century