- The first musical instrument was likely the human voice, whistles, clapping hands, and making noises with sticks.
- In 2008, archaeologists discovered a bone flute in a cave in Germany, which is about 35,000 years old and made from a vulture wing bone.
- In ancient Greece, music was important in theatre, with choruses singing for entertainment, celebration, and spiritual reasons.
- Instruments in ancient Greece included the lyre and kithara.
- Music was part of education in ancient Greece, with boys studying music starting at age six.
- The most important written repertoire of music in the medieval period was religious music from the Roman Catholic Church, known as Gregorian chant.
- Pope Gregory I gave his name to Gregorian chant, which was written in Latin and sung in churches.
- Surviving music from the medieval period includes songs from troubadours, such as ballads and narrative poems about medieval adventures and romances.
- Troubadours played various instruments.
- Music in the Renaissance began in northern Europe (north of France, the Netherlands, and Belgium).
- By the middle of the 15th century, composers and singers spread Renaissance music across Europe, especially into Italy.
- This music was listened to in churches, palaces, castles, and villages.
- The invention of the printing press greatly influenced the dissemination of musical styles.
- The most famous type of composition in the Renaissance was the madrigal.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of music history worksheet for middle school.
