Music 9 – Unit 1: Medieval Period Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key medieval music terms, figures, and concepts discussed in the lecture notes.

Medieval Music (700–1400)

The body of Western music created during the Middle Ages, spanning roughly 700 to 1400 CE.

Gregorian Chant

Also called plainchant or plainsong; a monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song sung by monks in medieval worship services.

Monophonic Texture

A musical texture featuring a single melodic line without harmonic accompaniment.

Troubadours

Traveling aristocratic poet-musicians from Southern France who composed and performed songs about war, chivalry, and courtly love.

Trouvères

Northern French counterparts to the troubadours—aristocratic poet-musicians active in the medieval period.

Adam de la Halle

Medieval composer known as “the Hunchback”; regarded as the last great trouvère and author of the pastoral play Jeu de Robin et Marion.

Jeu de Robin et Marion

A work by Adam de la Halle considered one of history’s first operas, blending music and drama.

Solfege (Do-Re-Mi)

A system of syllables used to teach pitch and sight-singing, developed in the 10th century by Guido d’Arezzo.

Guido d’Arezzo

Italian Benedictine monk and music theorist who created the solfege system and advanced modern musical notation.

Chivalric and Courtly Love Themes

Common subjects in troubadour and trouvère songs, often celebrating bravery, honor, and romantic devotion.