The Middle Ages (jan 1, 400 – jan 1, 1400)

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Music in the Middle Ages was extremely varied. We have to remember that we are dealing with nearly a thousand years of history—from the year 400 to about 1400. Most of the music that survives from this period is plainchant—melodies ranging from very simple to very complex, but all designed to be sung by a group in unison, with no harmony and no accompaniment. This music is based on the modes, which are different from our modern scales. The modes give the melodies a sound that is fascinating and slightly exotic, as though we were listening in on another world.

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