In terms of musical elements, why does medievil music sound much different than that of today? HELP PLEASE?

Question

In terms of musical elements, why does medievil music sound much different than that of today? HELP PLEASE

Answer 1

Because they use more dulcimer type instruments. Dulcimers are stringed and cause a major different type of sound. Todays music, even recreated to sound like medievel, does not have the same resonnance. You can get a deep sound on dulcimers or a higher cord. Their instruments went from the range of harpsicord type instruments to flutes and woodwinds. Today most of that is recreated as the "craft" of that kind of artistry has died down to just a small group of individuals who can play.

Answer 2

Ouch...some of the answers here so far are way off base. Trying to compare music of the Medieval period, which covers some 1000+ years of music history to modern music is rather difficult. Much of the music was vocal without instrumental accompaniment (a cappella). They used different modes (the Church modes) and the music did not have leading tones you hear in major and minor tonalities (music was modal, not tonal). Only certain intervals were allowed -- originally just the unison or octave (i.e. Gregorian chant) and eventually branching out into 5ths and 4ths (i.e. organum) and finally allowing 3rds and 6ths. Music today allows any interval, including dissonant ones like 2nds and 7ths. Popular music is limited to tonality and very simple chords. When speaking of instrumental music of the medieval period, it was generally dance music. The instruments were not in their final development of today, often employing simple systems (just 6 holes, completely diatonic) for woodwinds and no valve system for brass. String instruments were built quite differently (staight necks and the like) and played with different bows in a different manner (generally underhand instead of overhand). Instruments were usually divided into consorts of outdoor instruments (horns and other louder instruments) and indoor instruments (recorders, gambas), etc.

I guess that's some of it, without approaching all of the rhythmic elements and the like. I do hope some of that helps!

Answer 3

OK, first thing is that medieval music lacked actual note names - they did not recognize scales but instead began with modes. Also, medieval composers didn't know about meter (time signatures) - the 'medieval' music that we see/play today has been modified from its original version so that we can relate it to our time - ever seen pictures of the piece written in the shape of a heart? That's a perfect example of why medieval music is different from that of today.

Answer 4

In the medieval era, they used modes. Today we use diatonic harmony, in which the first note is the most important. They also did not have meter. Today we have meter - ex. 2/4 time, 3/4 time, etc. They had nothing like that, so the rhythm was free. In the medieval era, the texture was monophonic. One melody, no accompaniment. Today the majority of our music is not monophonic, it is either heterophonic, homophonic, or polyphonic.

Answer 5

Different types of instruments were used that helped form some of our instruments today (the harpsicord, lyre, etc.). Many of the cords used in Midievil music have disodent notes and are minor cords.

Answer 6

it did have too much stacato and percussion, now there is glimp and float. It does stand time, not evolution.