FUN FACT

Did you know that in the Middle ages they used what were called Neumes as notes?

Loud and Soft Music

Instruments from the Middle ages were classified in two ensembles, loud and soft. The instruments in the loud group, are mostly our brass instruments today, such as the trumpet. An example of a soft instrument is the lute.

FUN FACT

Did you know that during the Middle ages, the Feudal system was used. The Feudal system worked upon these principals:

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that it wasn't until later that instruments were accepted into the church? Sacred music was solely a cappella.

Organum

In the year 1000, music with two or more melodies was invented. This new type of music was called organum.

Plainchant

A piece of plainchant music

Also known as Gregorian chant or plainsong, plainchant is a form of music with one melody sung in unison. It is the most common type of music from the Middle ages. Most sacred music was written in plainchant

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that in the middle ages, they only categorized instruments in three categories. String, woodwind, and percussion.

Sacred and Secular Music

In Medieval times, music was put into two main categories, Secular and Sacred. Sacred was the music used in the church, and secular was the music that was created for activities other than the church.

Hildegard Von Bingen

Hildegard Von Bingen is a German composer. Her works were often written as parts of plays. Some examples of her songs include: Kyrie elaison, O euchari, and Ave Generosa.

Guillaume de Machaut

A french poet and composers Guillaume de Machaut wrote both secular and sacred music. He often wrote songs about love. 

Perotin

page from 'Alelluia Nativitas' 

Perotin is among the few composers from the Middle ages to have music that has been preserved. He is from France, and was one of the first people to think of using several melodies at once.

The Bagpipes

The bagpipes are a woodwind instrument, used by the poorest people in the Medieval ages. They were made using goat or sheep skin, with a reed pipe. 

The Pipe Organ

The Pipe Organ is an instrument that consists of pipes that give sound, that are controlled by the keys. It was one of the first instruments ever considered in the church.

The Trumpet

The medieval trumpet is a wind instrument with a very powerful sound. It is used most often in wars and battles as a signal.

The Lute

The lute is a string instrument with a gentle, soft sound. It is commonly used as an accompaniment to louder sounding instruments, or as a single instrument for travelling musicians as it is a fairly light instrument,

The Shawm

The Shawm is a wind instrument with a high, piercing sound. It was most often used in outdoor ceremonies, because of its loud noise.