In fact, some believe that even earlier descendants (Neanderthals) had linguistic and vocal capabilities, meaning they may have been able to produce vocal music-like sounds of different pitches. It is thought that this Homo heidelbergensis had executive control of their vocal sounds. These protohumans are thought to have existed between 600 and 800 kilo years ago (KYA). The vocal sounds associated with singing and music could be achieved by these proto-humans (specifically the Homo heidelbergensis). Research from fossils tells us that ancient hominins had the ability to produce sounds that we can create. This was around 800 to 250 kilo (thousand) years ago (abbreviated to Kya). The first era we need to explore is the Late Acheulean. To explore the origins of music in more detail, we need to look back through prehistoric times. 2.2 Music In The Middle Ages And The Renaissance.2 The Music Of Classical Antiquity And Beyond.1.3.2 The Music Of The Yupik People In Alaska.1.3.1 The music Of The Australian Aboriginal Society.1.2 The Late Pleistocene: Mid/Upper Paleolithic Musicality.We will be looking at the very first type of music from proto-humans, and journeying up to the Renaissance period to see if any of these early types of music have been influential on the music of today, and how they influenced each other.
With this in mind, it seems clear that even our very early ancestors would have been able to produce music, due to their ability to produce sounds at different pitches.Īrmed with this general definition, we can begin to delve deep into the rich early history of music.
Taking this further, human-created music features variable pitches, compared with other sounds from nature, such as the one pitch noises made by wild animals. This definition insinuates that music is a human form of expression. Sure, birdsong could be viewed as music, but it does not fit with this definition. To define music, we must first make a distinction between music and other sounds – speech, wildlife noises, the sound of cars, technology, and engines.Īccording to Gordon Epperson, a professor of music, music can be defined as: art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression.īy this definition, we can clearly see the distinction between music and other sounds that exist. And the first definition of music comes from that time, too.įor the purposes of our introduction, we are going to define music generally, with the understanding that we have of it now.īut you will discover that the definition of music may change slightly depending on the era – especially since the methods of creating music have changed! We are going to be taking you on a musical journey back in time. This is just one of the questions this article explores in-depth. The question is: where do the roots begin? In tracing the roots of music you should be able to answer the question ‘What is music?’ Tracing it back to its roots is the best option.
0 kommentar(er)
