Study Guide: The Development of Western Music
Overview
This study guide explores the origins and evolution of Western music, focusing on the development of music notation, the role of medieval theory, and the emergence of rhythmic complexity. It covers key periods, concepts, and examples from the history of Western music.
The Origins of Western Music Notation
Early Music and the Challenge of Notation
- Ancient Music: Knowledge of ancient Greek music is limited to descriptions and depictions of instruments like the lyre and aulos. There are no surviving recordings or precise notations.
- Middle Ages: The Middle Ages (approx. 500-1500 AD) marked the development of Western music notation, essential for transmitting music across distances.
- Why Notate Music?:
- Early notations helped monks memorize religious texts by assigning melodies (plainchant).
- Plainchant: A form of monophonic, unaccompanied singing, often used in religious contexts.
Neumatic Notation: The First Step
- Neumes: Early notation symbols placed above text to indicate melodic contour.
- Acutus: Indicates an upward melodic motion.
- Gravis: Indicates a downward melodic motion.
- Limitations:
- Neumes did not specify exact pitches, making them challenging for unfamiliar audiences.
- It required aural tradition for interpretation, limiting its geographic spread.
Evolution of Notation and Music Theory
Guido of Arezzo and the Birth of Precise Notation
- Guido of Arezzo (c. 1000 AD): Credited with two major innovations:
- Hexachord System: A six-note scale (ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la) that laid the groundwork for modern scales.
- Four-Line Staff: Allowed notes to be placed on specific lines, bringing greater precision to notation.
- Hexachord Characteristics:
- Symmetrical structure: Two whole tones, a semitone, two whole tones.
- The ut syllable later evolved into “do” in solfège.
- The Guidonian Hand: A teaching tool that used the joints and tips of fingers to indicate specific notes, helping singers learn melodies without needing to read complex notation.
Modes and Medieval Tuning
- Medieval Modes: Predecessors to modern scales, characterized by specific patterns of whole and semitones.
- Tuning Systems: The layout of contemporary keyboards and scales was not inevitable but developed over time, influenced by theorists like Guido.
The Rise of Rhythm and Polyphony
From Rhythmic Modes to Mensural Notation
- Rhythmic Modes: Early rhythm based on patterns of long and short notes, similar to metric feet in poetry (e.g., trochee, iamb, dactyl).
- Mensural Notation: Developed in the late 13th century, allowing precise representation of rhythmic values.
- Introduced divisive rhythm: Large beats divided into smaller units (e.g., whole notes, half notes).
- Enabled the creation of polyphony: Multiple independent melodic lines that could be synchronized.
Polyphonic Complexity: Ars Subtilior
- Ars Subtilior: A style of music from the late 14th century characterized by intricate rhythms and complex polyphony.
- Codex Chantilly: A key collection of pieces showcasing the technical advancements of this period.
- Example: “Fumeux fume par fumée” by Solage, a complex secular piece highlighting the expressive possibilities of mensural notation.
“The advent of mensural notation allowed composers to explore rhythmic independence and complexity that had never been possible before.”
The Shift from Medieval to Renaissance Music
Guillaume de Machaut: Symbolism and Complexity
- Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300-1377): A major composer known for his intricate polyphonic compositions.
- Example: “Ma fin est mon commencement” (My end is my beginning) is a palindromic piece, symbolizing cycles of rebirth through its musical structure.
- Symbolism in Music: Composers used hidden meanings and rhetorical devices to add depth to their works, reflecting the philosophical and mystical influences of the time.
Importance of Space and Acoustics
- Acoustic Spaces: Music was deeply influenced by the spaces in which it was performed, like cathedrals with their long reverberation times.
- Impact on Composition: Composers wrote pieces that complemented the acoustics of large, resonant spaces, like Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Concepts in Music Theory: A Deeper Dive
Frequency, Timbre, and Noise
- Frequency: The pitch of a sound, measured in hertz (Hz).
- Harmonic vs. Non-Harmonic Sounds:
- Harmonic: Consistent periodic vibrations (e.g., singing a vowel).
- Non-Harmonic/Noise: Complex vibrations, typical of percussion instruments.
- Timbre: The unique quality of a sound that distinguishes different instruments.
Rhythm: Structure vs. Flow
- Meter: Regular pattern of strong and weak beats.
- Examples: March rhythms (1-2-3-4) and waltz rhythms (1-2-3).
- Rhythmic Flexibility: Musicians play ahead of or behind the beat to create expressive rhythms.
- Divisive vs. Additive Rhythm:
- Divisive Rhythm: Breaks larger beats into equal smaller units (e.g., Western classical music).
- Additive Rhythm: Adds irregular beats together, creating complex patterns (e.g., Turkish and Balkan music).
Summary: The Legacy of Medieval Music Theory
Key Takeaways
- Notation as Technology: Enabled the transmission of music across distances and time.
- Polyphony and Complexity: Transformed Western music, allowing for multi-voice compositions.
- Cultural Context: Medieval music was shaped by its religious, philosophical, and acoustic environment.
- Rhythm and Freedom: The development of rhythmic notation allowed for more expressive musical forms, from plainchant to polyphonic masterpieces.
“Music notation evolved from a mnemonic tool to a precise system, enabling the rich polyphonic tradition that defines Western classical music.”
Recommended Study Topics
- Explore recordings of medieval plainchant and polyphony.
- Study the hexachord system and practice identifying solfège syllables.
- Compare rhythmic modes with modern time signatures to understand their differences.
- Listen to Ars Subtilior compositions to appreciate their rhythmic complexity.
Let this guide serve as a foundation for understanding the profound evolution of Western music and its lasting impact on the world of sound.