an overview of music education in the ancient world
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Ancient GreeceGreeks arrived to the Mediterranean area around 1000 B.C.
From this culture emerged a musical system including other arts such as poetry and dance.
Greek music was influenced by music from other cultures as well.
Hymns and Songs
Unlike Sculpture and Architecture, not much Ancient Greek music has survivedSome songs and Hymns have survived on paintings, Sculpture, vases, buildings, tombs and other artifacts.Hymns were songs of praise to Gods such as Apollo and Dionysus.
Greek Music Theory
Greek music theory, including ideas about pitch, became the basis for Western music theory.Almost entirely improvisedMelody and Rhythm were linked to the sound and meter of Greek poetry.Disciplines of harmonics and pitch , and concepts of notes, intervals and scales were defined and explained by Greek writers.
PythagorasMathematician who found numerical relationships between pitches.Acoustical observations.OctavesScientific aspects of music
SpartaWarrior city
Physical training was most important.Musical capitol of Ancient Greece in the seventh and sixth Centuries.Musical competitions reached a high artistic level.Music not used for Aesthetic value, but as accompaniment to war activities.Music helped to develop loyalty to the State.
Two Schools
Beginning of seventh century.
Vocal and instrumental solos
End of seventh century and beginning of sixth century.
Choral lyrics
Well known poets and musicians
Ancient Greek Lyre
Made of turtle shell and strings
Similar to guitar sound
Accompaniment to choirs and soloists
AthensDominated in the end of sixth and beginning of fifth centuries.Less violent, more civilized lifestyle.“Music” came to mean “fine arts” including art, poetry, sculpture and dance.Choral singingReligious ceremonies
Consequences of Competitions
Excellence in performance was key
Competitions were emphasized
Choirs began hiring professionalsCaused decline of amateur musicians
Decline of Music Education in Greek Schooling
Decline of Ancient Music Education
Competitions and Festivals created a growth in virtuosity
Music became more complex and difficult
Aristotle warned against too much training in general music.
• Created a reaction against technical virtuosity and musical complexity.
By the early Christian era, Greek music was much simplified
Aristotle and Plato
Aristotle and Plato believed that an education system that stressed gymnastics to discipline the body and music to discipline the mind could create the “right kind of person”.
Aristotle vs. Plato Music affects behaviorImitation
Music that imitates a certain passion arouses that passion in a person.The right kind of music made you the right kind of person.Only certain modes
Music could purge one of emotions through Catharsis.
Development of Body and Mind should be balanced.
Plato“Education in music is most sovereign, because more than anything else rhythm and harmony find their way to the innermost soul and take strongest hold upon it, bringing with them and imparting grace…”
Aristotle
“…our fathers admitted music into education not on the ground either of its necessity or utility…[but] for intellectual enjoyment in leisure…”
Music Education in Ancient Rome
Romans conquered the Greeks and absorbed much of their culture including their education system.
Romans were not innovative in music.
Music was produced by professionalsMost were slaves from other countries.
Not respected by educators
Roman Attitude towards Music
Music was not considered appropriate activity for boysGirls were hardly ever allowed to participate in musical activities.Music Education was not strongly included in the curriculum.Music Education was not highly thought of by Educators.
Secondary Education in Ancient Rome
Only sons of Aristocrats had access to secondary education.
Mathematic and Science students who were gifted were allowed to study music to enhance their scientific studies.
Who were the Musicians?
Not Aristocrats!
Artisans
ProfessionalsSlaves; allowed to study music in order to fulfill their duties.
Quintilian
Music was studied by the sons of the Aristocracy as part of science education.
Quintilian recommended the study of music to learn effective declamation and movement.
Decline of Roman EmpireWith the decline of the Roman Empire, the musical heritage of Ancient Greece was transmitted to the West through the Early Christian Church. Some concepts of Ancient Greek Music Theory were not understood, and therefore were not transmitted in full.Some concepts were lost completely, until rediscovered by scholars in the 15th and 16th Centuries.Simplification of Music
St. Augustine’s InfluenceRelated Classical Greek thought to music for the early Church.
Studied music’s ability to affect people’s emotions.also valued music for it’s scientific qualities.Reason vs. Emotion
Boethius- 475-525 A.D.
Musicians should approach music not through the senses but through the reasoning mind and science.
Quadrivial discipline
The Fundamentals of Music
On the highest level music communicates truth=reason
On the lowest level music communicates emotion
Trivium vs. Quadrivium
Three pathsGrammar
Logic
Rhetoric
*used arts in utilitarian manner-for practical use in daily life.
Four pathsGeometry
Math
Astronomy
Music
*spiritual applications
QuizWhy study Ancient Music Education?In Sparta, music was used to help develop loyalty to the State. How is this done today?Why would music education in Ancient Greek schooling be affected by professionalism and virtuosity?Who were the musicians in Ancient Rome?How was Ancient Music Education transmitted to the West after the Roman Empire fell?
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