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Blog 1 Bhatnagar

“The Medieval Period (or Middle Ages) refers to European history from the 5th-century collapse of the Roman Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance (ca. 1430)” as stated in the textbook. During this type period, this music was used in a more “Church” type of setting. Obviously when you hear church, you think of calm music because that is a place for God. Well, that is the type of music it was!

One thing I noticed was that the music had multiple voices and they all were singing at about the same pace. Neither of them had sudden changes or paces that were suddenly fast. They all had the same voice and softness as they all went along with the next to create that relieving type of feeling. The music started off as being a single vocal line music, but around 850, “scribes began to write down the texts and melodies in manuscripts.” Later, these same single vocal lines turned into more as new original ideas and melody lines were added. That was known as polyphony which was “The practice of writing several independent melodies that sound at the same time.” Polyphonic music expanded greatly during the Renaissance period. 

Many artists during the Medieval Period were Hildegard von Bingen, Leonin, Perotin, and Guillaume de Machaut. They were known as troubadours. This word usually refers to poets, composers and musicians. Instruments, such as the vielle, harp, psaltery, flute, shawm, bagpipe, and drums were all used during the Middle Ages. I felt like all these instruments were nicely put together and no type of way was it overused to make a rough or annoying sound. 

The question that I had was if Arabic music still uses these types of beats and sounds? I was curious about this because I have listened to one of two arabic music and it sounded like it had a similar background beat. Also, I was curious to know if these beats are still used in cartoons? It sounds like a background sound that can still be used in cartoons at the beginning right before a character is about to speak. I don’t want to necessarily call them beats because it didn’t have any sharp sounds or sounds that are fast in my ears, instead it gave more of a calming effect. This music definitely is very peaceful and it brings back thoughts of the times with kings and queens living in a mansion and how in disney movies, when the kings and queens are called for a gathering. The music sounds very friendly and gives a very happy and positive feeling.  It seems like a very soothing type of music. Also, I would like to further know why this music closely sounds like the music during the renaissance period? I am not sure if this is only for me or if others can relate to it as well. I believe that during this time many events occurred such as the Treaty of Verdun which was when there was a division of the Carolingian Empire into three kingdoms among the three surviving sons of Louis the Pious, who was the sons of Charlemagne. This happened during 843 AD during the middle ages. Another event during this period was The Great Famine which was during 1315-1317 AD and known as a mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1849.

This is definitely not the type of music I listen to, but after listening to “Medieval music – Troubadour love song by Gaucelm Faidit ”, I noticed his voice sounds amazingly deep and mellifluous. Also, I listened to Medieval Dragon Music – Dragon Cliffs and the beats and instruments played reminded me of the sounds of games that I now play. I feel like this type of music is still played, but just goes unnoticed because they try to advance it and change it up, but the beauty of the music that was played before is still used now.