early music

Definition of 'early music' 1. music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, sometimes also including music of the baroque and early classical periods. modifier early-music. 2. of or denoting an approach to musical performance emphasizing the use of period instruments and historically researched scores and playing ...

Helping early humans to bond and cooperate ancient music was often used for religious or spiritual purposes. The oldest surviving musical composition is a hymn to the goddess.

The earliest forms of music were probably drum-based, percussion instruments being the most readily available at the time (i.e. rocks, sticks). These simplest of simple instruments are thought to have been used in religious ceremonies as representations of animals.

Music first arose in the Paleolithic period, though it remains unclear as to whether this was the Middle (300,000 to 50,000 BP) or Upper Paleolithic (50,000 to 12,000 BP). The vast majority of Paleolithic instruments have been found in Europe and date to the Upper Paleolithic.

There is archaeological evidence of musical instruments dating back 40,000 years ago. Music was valued in ancient India, China, Greece, and Egypt. Music history includes many important eras, such as the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical eras.

Voices of Music (VOM) is a non-profit American musical ensemble based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in the performance of early music, especially Renaissance music, and Baroque compositions, using historically informed musical performance practices and instrumentation.

Some people consider the end date of Early Music to coincide with the end of the Renaissance (approximately 1600AD), while others also include the music of the Baroque Era (ending 1750).

10 elements of music to teach to children

• Rhythm. Combinations of long and short sounds which convey movement.
• Beat. The underlying steady beat of music.
• Duration. The length of the beats making up the music.
• Pitch.
• Tempo.
• Timbre.
• Texture.
• Melody.

The origin of music could be traced to the production of speech, human communication, work rhythms, play rhythms, clapping, mimicries, singing, human sound, the roaring of waves or oceans, blacksmiths, harmer, and anvil, and environmental sounds.

“Early music is commonly defined as European classical music from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque. The Early Music Movement as a trend in history is the study and performance of music from composers before our own era and began in 1829 when Felix Mendelssohn conducted Bach's St Matthew Passion.

Our early ancestors may have created rhythmic music by clapping their hands. This may be linked to the earliest musical instruments, when somebody realized that smacking stones or sticks together doesn't hurt your hands as much.

However, the major reason that music arose and persists may be that it brings people together. "Music leads to bonding, such as bonding between mother and child or bonding between groups," explains Montagu.