Music: Medieval (476 - 1400)
The middle ages were characterized mainly by a feudal society with three distinct classes. This was also the time of crusades and knighthood. The Roman Catholic Church exerted the greatest influence and therefore was the center of music in this age. The church discouraged the use of instruments because of their role in pagan cultures. Therefore, the music of the middle ages primarily involved only vocals. While women could not sing in church, they were allowed to write music and create music in convents.
The first part of the middle ages is known as the dark ages (500-1000). The name “dark ages” can be misleading because there was large scale development including the rise of monasteries during this period. The last part (1000-1450) of the middle ages was also a time of widespread development. Beautiful cathedrals and universities were built and the importance of cities grew. Great literature was also written during this time.
The basic musical scales of this period were called church modes. The scales were made up of seven different tones with the eighth duplicating the first at an octave higher. The scales were similar to the modern major and minor scales. However, the pattern of whole and half steps were more like western folk music.
Gregorian chants were the official music of the Roman Catholic Church for over 1,000 years. These chants were Latin texts sung in a monophonic melody without instruments. The Gregorian chant did evolve to incorporate a second melodic line. This new style was called Organum. Eventually, the two melody lines became independent of each other and could differ rhythmically. The chants were important in prayer and rituals and did not have meter, had little beat, and a minimal range of pitches.
Music did exist outside the church. The earliest evidence of musical notation and composition comes from the 12th and 13th centuries by French nobles. These nobles were called troubadours and trouveres, and they mainly chose to write music about love. However, they also wrote songs about the crusades and songs for dance. Their music appears to have had a regular meter with a defined beat. One dance, the estampie was one of the earliest forms of instrumental music. The dance had a fast beat and triple meter. Wandering minstrels also performed music during this period.
