Music: An Appreciation, 10th Edition (Kamien)

Early Music FAQ

http://www.medieval.org/emfaq/

An extensive list of links to sites on European Medieval and Renaissance music is provided here, including sites offering midi and sound file examples of the repertoire.

A Guide to Medieval and Renaissance Instruments

http://www.music.iastate.edu/antiqua/instrumt.html

Historical background and descriptions of the instruments are illustrated with colorful photographs and sound files.

The Gregorian Association

http://www.beaufort.demon.co.uk/chant.htm

A great starting place for finding academic and research oriented pages on the subject, including a selected discography.

Gregorian Chant Notation

http://lphrc.org/Chant/

A basic, well-illustrated introduction to the elements of chant notation can be found here.

Gregorian Chant History

http://interletras.com/canticum/Eng/history_intro.htm

A site featuring information on history, characteristics and notation of the music

Gregorian Chant

http://www.schuyesmans.be/gregoriaans/EN/ENmu_06.htm

This detailed introduction to the history of Gregorian chant includes an extensive listing of European abbeys where chant can be heard today. Defining features of the music are described, including rhythm, neumes, church modes and notation.

Links for More information on Hildegard von Bingen

http://www.healingchants.com/hvb_links.html

This site contains links to the life, times, music, art and notation style of the composer.

Leonin

http://www.stevenestrella.com/composers/index.html?composerfiles/leonin1201.html

A description of the forms and styles associated with Organum is presented at this site as well as a brief biography of the first known composer of the polyphonic church music style.

Guillaume de Machaut

http://www.medieval.org/emfaq/composers/machaut.html

The life and times of this artist, along with links to many of his lyrics, is presented at this site. An extensive discography is also provided.

Using the websites provided above, answer the following questions.

1			How were musicians trained during the medieval and Renaissance periods?
2			Describe three musical instruments used during this period.
3			Describe the key elements of the Church Modes.
4			Why is Guillaume de Machaut often portrayed as an avant-garde composer? Describe his accomplishments.
5			Describe the similarities and differences between early music notation and the notation of today. What factors do you believe account for these differences?