Music of the Medieval Period – Key Vocabulary

These vocabulary flashcards cover essential terms, concepts, textures, modes, and practices discussed in the lecture on medieval music, providing a concise reference for exam review.

Medieval Period

The era of Western history from roughly 400 CE–1400 CE, also called the Middle Ages or Dark Ages.

Middle Ages

Historical period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance; synonymous with the medieval period.

Dark Ages

Informal label for the early medieval era, characterized by social upheaval yet rich in religious music.

Culture

Shared beliefs, values, and practices (arts, religion, language, music, food) of a group of people.

History

Chronological, documented account of past events used to understand cultural developments like music.

Sacred Music

Music composed for, or influenced by, religious worship—especially in the Roman Catholic Church.

Secular Music

Non-religious medieval music performed in courts, marketplaces, and social gatherings.

Gregorian Chant

Official sacred music of the Roman Catholic Church for over 1,000 years; monophonic Latin plainsong credited to Pope Gregory I.

Plainsong (Plainchant)

Unaccompanied monophonic chant of the medieval church, including Gregorian chant.

Monophony

Musical texture with a single melodic line and no accompaniment.

Polyphony

Texture featuring two or more independent melodic lines performed simultaneously.

Homophony

Texture in which multiple voices move together rhythmically, supporting one main melody.

Heterophony

Texture where multiple performers deliver varied versions of the same melody at once.

Chant Traditions

Early sacred singing practices influenced by Jewish psalmody and developed independently across Europe.

Mass – Proper

Variable parts of the Roman Catholic Mass (e.g., introit, gradual, alleluia, tract, offertory, communion).

Mass – Ordinary

Constant sections of the Mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei.

Syllabic Text Setting

Gregorian-chant style assigning one note to each syllable of text.

Neumatic Text Setting

Style where small groups of notes (neumes) correspond to single syllables.

Melismatic Text Setting

Style in which many notes are sung on a single syllable.

Psalmodic Text Setting

Style with many syllables intoned on a repeated single note.

Authentic Modes

Four principal medieval church scales: Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian.

Dorian Mode

Minor-flavored scale with a lowered 3rd; first authentic mode.

Phrygian Mode

Third church mode, like natural minor but with a lowered 2nd.

Lydian Mode

Major-sounding scale with a raised 4th; fourth authentic mode.

Mixolydian Mode

Fifth mode of the major scale; resembles major but with a lowered 7th.

Plagal Modes

Four derivative church scales: Hypodorian, Hypophrygian, Hypolydian, Hypomixolydian.

Hypodorian Mode

Plagal counterpart of Dorian, spanning a range below the final note D.

Hypophrygian Mode

Plagal form of Phrygian; fourth mode in medieval theory.

Hypolydian Mode

Sixth church mode, plagal variant of Lydian.

Hypomixolydian Mode

Plagal variant of Mixolydian; scale from D to D with final on G.

Ionian Mode

Scale identical to the modern major (not common but used in some secular pieces).

Aeolian Mode

Scale identical to the natural minor; occasionally employed in secular music.

Triple Meter

Rhythmic pattern with three beats per measure, prevalent in secular medieval songs.

Conjunct Melody

Smooth, stepwise melodic motion with few leaps, typical of Gregorian chant.

Unmetered Rhythm

Lack of fixed time signatures; characteristic of many chants.

Neumatic Notation

Early system of musical notation using symbols (neumes) to indicate chant pitches.

Knights’ Music

Secular songs celebrating chivalry and crusades, performed by troubadours and minstrels.

Nobles’ Music

Courtly entertainment including love songs, dances, and drinking tunes.

Priests’ Chants

Sacred vocal music used in Christian services within cathedrals and monasteries.

Roman Catholic Church

Primary religious institution shaping Western sacred music during the medieval era.