Western music as we understand it today, began in Ancient Greece. There is much evidence supporting the idea that music was important throughout Ancient Europe, but it is only in the ruins of Ancient Greece that we find fully notated examples that we can recreate and study. Written accounts and opinions of music in Ancient Greece can be found in the works of Plato (d. circa 347 BC), Aristotle (d. circa 322 BC), and Pythagoras (d. circa 490 BC) among others. Unfortunately, melodies were not notated prior to the first century AD. As a result, much of what we know about Ancient Greek music is in the form of theory rather than practice (the figured out the math of intonation, scales, etc.). What we can perform and listen to is comparatively modern: Approximately as much time passed between the death of the Plato and the earliest examples of notated music as has passed between the voyages of Columbus and the present day. Keep the limitations of our knowledge in mind as we explore this music. Posted here are two versions of the Epitaph of Seikilos, the oldest surviving and fully-notated example of ancient Greek music still in existence. View each, consider the facts below, and answer the questions in a single comment post. Note: The second example is a link to a youtube video.
Here are the facts:
1. It is for solo voice with lyre accompaniment, other instruments are added at the musician's discretion.
2. It is monophonic.
3. It is an epitaph.
4. It was written in the 1st century AD.
5. It is entitled Epitaph of Seikilos.
6. The Ancient Greeks laid the foundation (scales, theory, etc.) that all subsequent Western music is based upon. This is why such simple songs as these are an important part of the greater music history picture.
Each of you answer the following questions in your comment posting:
1. What does the term "monophonic" mean?
2. What is a lyre?
3. What is an epitaph?
4. What does the fact that the ONLY known preserved piece of Ancient Greek music is an epitaph tell us about the place of music in our culture?
5. Name some historically significant events that occurred in the first century AD.
6. The lyrics are in the second example (youtube link). Re-write them in your own words.
Click This Link for Second Version.
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ReplyDeleteTEST TEST TEST TEST
ReplyDeleteMonophonic is music that is sung along with only one instrument.
ReplyDeleteA lyre is a U shaped string instrument like a harp that was used by ancient greeks to accompany singers.
A epitaph is a inscription or statement meant to commemorate a deceaced individual.
It tells us that most music is written to remmember someone and keep their memory.
In the first Century A.D. songs and melodies were beginning to be notated and recorded.
When you are alive, stand out!
Don't let anything make you very sad.
Your life is too short to spend it greiving.
-Ben
1. Monophonic is when there is one melodic line that is unaccompanied.
ReplyDelete2. A lyre is an instrument that is similar to the harp but is in a shape of a U. It was used in Ancient Greece to accompany songs.
3. An epitaph is a small statement for a person that has died.
4. It shows that it is one of many songs that are an importance to western music today.
5. Some great historical events include the great fire of Rome; the death of the emperor of Rome, Augustus Caesar; and Pompeii being built.
6. May the sun rise upon you, and the moon fall beneath your feet.
Let your wings spread and fly across the horizon, so you shall sing the song with the angels.
-Alex
1.monophonic is one singer singing alone.
ReplyDelete2.a lyre is a kind of plucked instruments in ancient times.
3.epitaph is the memorial passage on the tombstone to the dead people.
4.It tell us to remember people.
5.the bible' s story is began from 1st century.
6.when you are alive, how nice the time it is!
I hope you can happy when you alive.
because the life of you is too short, but
the time is too long.
Jessica
(hard time!)
Monophonic means music that has just one melodic line.
ReplyDeleteA Lyre is an Ancient Greek harp, used for musical accompaniment.
An Epitaph is a summary statement used for the remeberance of a dead person.
The only known preserved piece of Ancient Greek music being an epitaph says to me that music, no matter how aged or how recent, reiterates the fact that music is an expression of human emotions and a physical product of what we think about.
A historically signifigant event in the first century of music is that melodies began to be noted.
My version of the lyrics: While you are alive, be the best you can be; do not let things worry you to the point where you can no longer control it; your life is short, and life does not withstand the test of time.
Micheal