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1040 BCE
Psaltery
one the earliest known instruments that is most related to the harp -
284
Antiquity
Delphic Hymn to Apollo is the earliest known piece of music -
476
Fall of Rome
slow changes in life, culture, and dissemination of knowledge -
900
Organum
plainchant "melody" with an added melody; musically sung in parallel 4ths and 5ths; 3rds were dissonant and should not be used -
900
Dulcimer
can be strung or hammered; one of the earliest known instruments -
Period: 991 to 1033
Guido d'Arezzo
credited with inventing the staff, and creating diastematic notation. -
1000
Rebec
can be played pressed up against the chest or rested on the leg -
Period: 1098 to 1179
Hildegard von Bingen
founder and abbess of the convent at Rupertsberg, Germany. She was famous for her prophetic powers and revelations, and wrote liturgical dramas and religious poetry. She became the first female composer. -
1100
Shawm
double reed instrument that has a bocal; distant relatives of this instrument are the oboe, bassoon, and english horn -
Period: 1150 to 1201
Leonin
first composer of polyphonic music whose name we know; credited with compiling the Magnus liber organi (c.1170) -
Period: 1155 to 1207
Raimbaut de Vaqueiras
from southern France, served at the court in Montferrat; wrote at least 35 poems and 7 pieces of music that have survived -
1200
Perotin
possibly studied with Leonin and is considered a cantor at the Cathedral of Notre Dame -
Period: 1291 to 1361
Philippe de Vitry
describes the Ars nova in the first half of the 14th century and also contains musical examples; first composer of Ars Nova -
1300
Vielle
older stringed instrument; very flat bridge instead of curved; sometimes has drone strings -
Period: 1300 to 1350
Ars nova
means "new art" (in latin) that incorporates new rhythmic polyphony in the motets -
Period: 1300 to 1377
Guillaume de Machaut
most famous composer and poet of the time; wrote more than 20 extant motets, several extant chansons and had one of the first polyphonic mass cycles -
Period: 1325 to 1397
Francesco Landini
music theorist, composer, poet, and organist; famous because he was blind; the most famous Italian composer of the 14th century -
Period: 1346 to 1353
The Bubonic plague
a pandemic killing over 75 million people (1/3 of the world population) -
1511
Lute
pegboard is at a 90 degree angle to prevent the neck from snapping and lessens the tension; no set number of strings on a lute -
1559
Crumhorn
means crooked horn; double reed instrument; also known as the "bagpipe chanter"; can be very loud and obnoxious -
1580
Theorbo
a large lute; not a set number of strings and has additional vibration strings