ANTIQUITY
The nine muses in a Roman sarcophagus (2nd c.)
GREECE
The history of Western music begins in Ancient Greece. They understand music as an art of divine origins. The word "music" derives from mousiké that means art of the muses. Many legends of Greek mythology link music to the gods. Music was thought to have magical powers that could cure illnesses and modify behaviours. That is why it was considered an essential discipline in the education of young people.
Characteristics
The concept of music comprised music, poetry, theater and dance.
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Rhythm: it was organized into metrical feet.
1. Trochee: long – short
2. Iamb: short – long
3. Dactyl: long – short – short
4. Anapaest: short – short – long
5. Spondee: long – long
6. Tribrach: short – short – short
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Melody: it was based on modes. The different sonority of each mode reflected an ethos or feeling.
A) Dorian mode: (mi’-mi)
appropriate for expressing the sublime.
B) Phrygian mode: (re’-re)
calm mode, appropriate for affections.
C) Lydian mode: (do’-do)
appropriate for complaints, crying and pain.
D) Mixolydian mode: (si’-si)
appropriate for passionate expressions.
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Texture: monophony with heterophonic accompaniment was the main texture.
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Musical notation: they used alphabetic notation for the pitch of sound.
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Instruments
Greece
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String: lyre (1), cithara (2), barbiton (3), pandura (4).
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Wind: aulos (5), syrinx or pan flute (6), hydraulis (7),
salpinx (9). -
Percussion: tympanum (8), krupezion (12).
Rome
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Wind: tuba (9), lituus (10), cornu (11).
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Percussion: scabellum (12).
Music examples
One of the few preserved fragments of ancient Greek music is the Seikilos Epitaph.