Music of the Middle Ages

Monophony, or single-line melody, was the dominant form of music during the early Middle Ages.

Polyphony, the combination of two or more independent melodic lines, emerged in the 12th century.

The lute, a stringed instrument, was widely used to accompany secular music during the Middle Ages.

Plainchant, a monophonic form of religious music, was widely used in the Middle Ages.

Ars nova, meaning 'new art', was the musical style that emerged in the 14th century.

Canon, a musical form in which multiple voices sing the same melody at different pitches, was popular in the 13th century.

Ars perfecta, meaning 'perfect art', was the musical style that emerged in the late Middle Ages.

Motet, a musical form featuring multiple voices singing different melodies simultaneously, was popular in the 15th century.

Ars subtilior, meaning 'more subtle art', was the musical style that emerged in the 13th century.

Troubadour music, a genre of secular music popular in the 12th and 13th centuries, often combined secular and religious texts.

Ars antiqua, meaning 'old art', was the musical style that emerged in the 11th century.

Hocket, a musical form featuring a combination of two or more melodies played simultaneously, was popular in the 14th century.

Ars antiqua, meaning 'old art', was the musical style that emerged in the 12th century.

Conductus, a musical form featuring a combination of two or more melodies played simultaneously, was popular in the 13th century.

Ars perfecta, meaning 'perfect art', was the musical style that emerged in the 15th century.