Medieval Music: Secular and Sacred Music

Troubadour music was a genre of medieval music that was typically performed by wandering musicians called troubadours. Troubadours were often knights or noblemen who traveled from town to town, singing and playing their instruments.

The motet was a sacred medieval music genre that was typically polyphonic, meaning that it had multiple independent melodic lines. Motets were often performed in churches and cathedrals.

Guillaume de Machaut was a French composer who lived in the 14th century. He was one of the most famous composers of sacred medieval music, and his works include masses, motets, and chansons.

Minnesang was a genre of medieval music that was typically performed at courtly gatherings. Minnesingers were often knights or noblemen who sang and played their instruments to entertain the court.

The chanson was a secular medieval music genre that was typically performed by troubadours or minstrels. Chansons were often love songs or songs about current events.

The vielle is a medieval musical instrument that is similar to a lute. It has a rounded body and a neck with four or five strings. The vielle was often played by troubadours and minstrels.

The estampie was a medieval dance that was typically performed in a circle. It was often accompanied by music played on a vielle or a rebec.

The rebec is a medieval musical instrument that is similar to a violin. It has a pear-shaped body and a neck with three or four strings. The rebec was often played by troubadours and minstrels.

The hurdy-gurdy is a medieval musical instrument that is similar to a violin. It has a wheel that turns a crank, which causes the strings to vibrate. The hurdy-gurdy was often played by beggars and street musicians.

The portative organ is a medieval musical instrument that is similar to a small organ. It has a keyboard and a set of bellows that are used to pump air through the pipes. The portative organ was often used in churches and cathedrals.

Guido d'Arezzo was a medieval musical theorist who lived in the 11th century. He is best known for developing the system of musical notation that is still used today.

Ars Nova is a medieval musical treatise that was written by Johannes de Muris in the 14th century. It is one of the most important sources of information about medieval music theory.

The Codex Calixtinus is a medieval musical manuscript that was compiled in the 12th century. It contains a collection of sacred and secular music, including songs, hymns, and motets.

The Cantigas de Santa Maria is a medieval musical manuscript that contains a collection of 420 songs in honor of the Virgin Mary. It was compiled in the 13th century by King Alfonso X of Castile.

The hurdy-gurdy is a medieval musical instrument that is still used today. It is often played by folk musicians and street musicians.