Eras
What are characteristics from the Medieval era?
Primarily sacred, liturgical music for the Catholic Church
Genres: Gregorian chant (monophonic, unaccompanied vocal lines).
Innovation: Emergence of polyphony (layered independent melodies) and early notation (neumes).
Instruments: Simple plucked string instruments (lute, harp) and early keyboard instruments.
Notable Composers: Guillaume de Machaut
Characteristics of Impressionism
Composers like Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel are key examples of this style.
Which era was Beethoven from?
Classical
Ionian
Major Scale
Aeolian
Natural minor scale
What are characteristics from the Renaissance era?
Expanded to include secular music alongside sacred works.
Polyphonic choral music (e.g., Masses, motets), madrigals (secular, word‑painting).
Greater textural variety, richer harmonies, and humanist themes.
Instruments: Lute, viol, early keyboard instruments; music printing (Gutenberg) increased access.
Notable Composers: Josquin des Prez, Palestrina
Characteristics from the modern era
Experimentation with form, harmony, and instrumentation; diverse style
Serialism, atonality, minimalism, jazz, rock, electronic, world music.
Dissonance, extended tonality, electronic instruments, multimedia integration.
Electric instruments, synthesizers, digital technology.
Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Bartók, John Cage, Philip Glass
Which era was Wagner from?
Romantic
Dorian
Minor scale with raised 6th
Locrian
Minor scale with a lowered 2nd and 5th
What are characteristics from the Baroque Era?
Expressive, dramatic, and ornate music for court, church, and public.
Opera, oratorio, concerto, fugue, sonata, harpsichord works.
Basso continuo, tonal harmony, ornamentation, and expressive dynamics.
Instruments: Harpsichord, organ, violins, violas, basso continuo.
Notable Composers: J.S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, G.F. Handel
When was the Medieval era?
500-1400
Which era was machaut from?
Medieval
Phrygian
Minor second with lowered 2nd
What is the 12-Tone technique and who developed it?
All 12 pitches are treated as equal and must be introduced in the composition in a series order.
Schoenburg
What are musical characteristics from the Classical Era?
Clarity, balance, and formal structure; emphasis on form over ornamentation.
Symphony, string quartet, sonata, opera buffa, overture.
Sonata form, clear thematic development, homophonic textures.
Full symphony orchestra (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion).
Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
When was the Romantic Era?
1830-1900
Which era was Ravel from?
Impressionism
Lydian
Major scale with raised 4th
Who are the 12-tone composers?
Schoenberg, Babbit, Boulez, Webern
What are musical characteristics from the Romantic Era?
Emotional expression, individualism, and national identity.
Symphonic poems, program music, art song, operatic works.
Expanded tonal range, rich orchestration, thematic transformation, and nationalism.
Larger, more expressive orchestras; piano as central solo instrument.
Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Liszt
When was the Classical era?
1750-1830
Which era was Mozart from?
Classical
Mixolydian
Major scale with lowered 7th
Blues Scale
Lowered 3rd and dominant 7th