Part One: Antiquity

586 B.C. 800 A.D.

Pothagoras

Characteristics:
Purpose:

It is unlikely that music was art created for pleasure of casual

listening. Rather, it seems to have been created for dancing and ritual. Greek
music was inseparable from poetry and drama and was important to greek
mythology and was important in mythology and in ceremonial rites.

Structure: It is believed that music of Antiquity was generally

monophonic. Monophony-Consisting of a single melodic line without
accompaniment or harmonic support.

Improvisation:

Probably all ancient musical cultures encouraged the

musician to improvise. A musicians ability to alter, vary, and ornament a
melody determined their skill. This helps explain why so little music was
notated.

Beliefs:

Ancient man believed that music had mystic and magical powers
capable of effecting his life, character, and well-being. Evidence of this are
found in abundance in the literature of the ancients.

Music of ancient cultures

Notation:

the Greeks were amongst the first to develop

systems of notation. There were two kinds: an instrumental
notation, and a vocal notation.

Instruments:

Lyre
Kithara
Aulos
Syrinx
Krotola
Tympanon
Hydralus

Principle instruments