How do I compose medieval music? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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Dean

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Posted: March 01 2010 at 04:58

Jacob Handl (aka Gallus), not George Frideric Handl of course.

What?

refugee

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Posted: March 01 2010 at 07:54

Wikipedia may be a good place to start, for instance:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_nova

And of course you need to listen to a lot of medieval music. Theory is important, but it’s far from enough.

He say nothing is quite what it seems;
I say nothing is nothing
(Peter Hammill)

nightlamp

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Posted: March 01 2010 at 21:50

My suggestion to you is to roll up your sleeves and get involved with whichever medieval music genres appeal to you most. Sing chant, join the local recorder society, learn to play instrumental tunes or cantigas on your preferred instrument. Find a mentor or a teacher and learn a medieval instrument and its performance practice. Study, study study! Maybe take a college course (not Music Appreciation), read books and articles. Once you have a grasp of the theory and stylistic practices you'll be better equipped to compose "authentic" sounding tunes.

Some instrumental groups I heartily recommend: Jordi Savall & Hesperion XX/XXI, Sequentia, Dufay Collective, Ensemble Unicorn, Ensemble Alcatraz, Eduardo Paniagua.

Hope this helps a little, good luck in your neomedieval endeavors. Be aware though, that once you've caught the early music bug it can be just as detrimental to your bank account as prog rock! Wink

The Runaway View Drop Down

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Posted: March 01 2010 at 23:51

Thanks!

Trendsetter win!

The search for nonexistent perfection.

Certif1ed

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Posted: March 15 2010 at 08:47

Parallel 5ths are a useful device - although, obviously, if you use them on a high-gain guitar sound, they'll only sound like power chords.

6/8 time signatures are cool for that "instant mediaeval" flavour, with plenty of regular crotchet-quaver based rhythms

Melodically, beginning a tune with a 3rd leap (could be major or minor, upwards or downwards), then simply following in step-fashion gives the right shape. Short sequences, and short sequences of quick runs are a fairly typical feature, especially approaching the end of a phrase or section.

Harmonically, it's good to contrast segments of perfect synchronisation (e.g. the crotchet-quaver pattern), then offset some of the parts, including imitation and suspensions - but, while you could have the entire melody imitated a few bars later (as in Gentle Giant's "On Reflection") don't make the counterpoint too busy or fugal, or it'll sound Baroque - or Jazzy, like GG (which you actually might want...).

Some "mediaeval" harmonies could be quite jazzy - mostly as a result of suspensions, but resolve all suspensions - a "step down then up" approach always works wonders, but incorporating a turn style decoration is a feature of much early lute music - and leave out the 3rd in the final chord of each section.

You could also use a kind of elongated drone effect, with the bass part simply rocking between the root and 5th of the tonic, while the melody instrument goes off, potentially into quite exotic territory. I've heard some quite exquisite lute music which is basically just this - and it's most mellow and relaxing.

Modulations work well - while not exactly mediaeval, madrigals often used modulations, especially from a major key to its relative minor or vice versa, to express an emotion.

These are all generalisations - the best way to learn really is to listen to the "real deal", and learn how to play the cornett, sackbutt or lute (Jan Akkerman did).

Or if it's theory you want, there's really no better reading than Phillipe de Vitry.

If you enjoyed de Vitry, you'll also like Franco and Johannes de Garlandia

Edited by Certif1ed - March 15 2010 at 08:49

The important thing is not to stop questioning.

The Runaway View Drop Down

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Posted: March 15 2010 at 11:45

I opened this thread BECAUSE of GG!

Trendsetter win!

The search for nonexistent perfection.

tszirmay

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Posted: March 18 2010 at 01:38

Actually Italian artist Gian Castello has a splendid medieval album called Taliesyn that you should check out , its sheer magic. Also worthy is the early Malicorne stuff, perhaps a tad more Celtic (read Breton) . On the learning side , you should look up the motets ( polyphonic composition based on a sacred text and usually sung without accompaniment) and cantatas (musical composition, often using a sacred text, comprising recitatives, arias, and choruses). That would be a great beginning IMHO. BTW, I am a sucker for medieval music , whether coated in prog or not!

You can also join a singing monastery where they never talk, just sing!

Edited by tszirmay - March 18 2010 at 01:39

I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.

The Runaway View Drop Down

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Posted: March 18 2010 at 02:28

Again, thanks!!!

Trendsetter win!

The search for nonexistent perfection.

paganinio

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Posted: March 18 2010 at 21:36

The OP should read some books about composition, and complete a college course.

Medieval music is relatively easy to compose, because there weren't many chords you can use (most of the chords were yet to be invented). You didn't have to worry about instruments, because medieval music is nothing but a bunch of humans singing together. The musical forms were extremely limited. If you're already a classical music composer, you should be able to master medieval music composition very quickly.

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Dean Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout Joined: May 13 2007 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 37575	Posted: March 01 2010 at 04:58
	Jacob Handl (aka Gallus), not George Frideric Handl of course.
	What?

refugee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: November 20 2006 Location: Greece Status: Offline Points: 7026	Posted: March 01 2010 at 07:54
	Wikipedia may be a good place to start, for instance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_nova And of course you need to listen to a lot of medieval music. Theory is important, but it’s far from enough.
	He say nothing is quite what it seems; I say nothing is nothing (Peter Hammill)

nightlamp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 07 2007 Location: San Francisco Status: Offline Points: 163	Posted: March 01 2010 at 21:50
	My suggestion to you is to roll up your sleeves and get involved with whichever medieval music genres appeal to you most. Sing chant, join the local recorder society, learn to play instrumental tunes or cantigas on your preferred instrument. Find a mentor or a teacher and learn a medieval instrument and its performance practice. Study, study study! Maybe take a college course (not Music Appreciation), read books and articles. Once you have a grasp of the theory and stylistic practices you'll be better equipped to compose "authentic" sounding tunes. Some instrumental groups I heartily recommend: Jordi Savall & Hesperion XX/XXI, Sequentia, Dufay Collective, Ensemble Unicorn, Ensemble Alcatraz, Eduardo Paniagua. Hope this helps a little, good luck in your neomedieval endeavors. Be aware though, that once you've caught the early music bug it can be just as detrimental to your bank account as prog rock!

The Runaway Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 28 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 3144	Posted: March 01 2010 at 23:51
	Thanks!
	Trendsetter win! The search for nonexistent perfection.

Certif1ed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 08 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 7559	Posted: March 15 2010 at 08:47
	Parallel 5ths are a useful device - although, obviously, if you use them on a high-gain guitar sound, they'll only sound like power chords. 6/8 time signatures are cool for that "instant mediaeval" flavour, with plenty of regular crotchet-quaver based rhythms Melodically, beginning a tune with a 3rd leap (could be major or minor, upwards or downwards), then simply following in step-fashion gives the right shape. Short sequences, and short sequences of quick runs are a fairly typical feature, especially approaching the end of a phrase or section. Harmonically, it's good to contrast segments of perfect synchronisation (e.g. the crotchet-quaver pattern), then offset some of the parts, including imitation and suspensions - but, while you could have the entire melody imitated a few bars later (as in Gentle Giant's "On Reflection") don't make the counterpoint too busy or fugal, or it'll sound Baroque - or Jazzy, like GG (which you actually might want...). Some "mediaeval" harmonies could be quite jazzy - mostly as a result of suspensions, but resolve all suspensions - a "step down then up" approach always works wonders, but incorporating a turn style decoration is a feature of much early lute music - and leave out the 3rd in the final chord of each section. You could also use a kind of elongated drone effect, with the bass part simply rocking between the root and 5th of the tonic, while the melody instrument goes off, potentially into quite exotic territory. I've heard some quite exquisite lute music which is basically just this - and it's most mellow and relaxing. Modulations work well - while not exactly mediaeval, madrigals often used modulations, especially from a major key to its relative minor or vice versa, to express an emotion. These are all generalisations - the best way to learn really is to listen to the "real deal", and learn how to play the cornett, sackbutt or lute (Jan Akkerman did). Or if it's theory you want, there's really no better reading than Phillipe de Vitry. If you enjoyed de Vitry, you'll also like Franco and Johannes de Garlandia Edited by Certif1ed - March 15 2010 at 08:49
	The important thing is not to stop questioning.

The Runaway Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 28 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 3144	Posted: March 15 2010 at 11:45
	I opened this thread BECAUSE of GG!
	Trendsetter win! The search for nonexistent perfection.

tszirmay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 17 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 6673	Posted: March 18 2010 at 01:38
	Actually Italian artist Gian Castello has a splendid medieval album called Taliesyn that you should check out , its sheer magic. Also worthy is the early Malicorne stuff, perhaps a tad more Celtic (read Breton) . On the learning side , you should look up the motets ( polyphonic composition based on a sacred text and usually sung without accompaniment) and cantatas (musical composition, often using a sacred text, comprising recitatives, arias, and choruses). That would be a great beginning IMHO. BTW, I am a sucker for medieval music , whether coated in prog or not! You can also join a singing monastery where they never talk, just sing! Edited by tszirmay - March 18 2010 at 01:39
	I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.

The Runaway Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 28 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 3144	Posted: March 18 2010 at 02:28
	Again, thanks!!!
	Trendsetter win! The search for nonexistent perfection.

paganinio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: November 07 2008 Status: Offline Points: 1327	Posted: March 18 2010 at 21:36
	The OP should read some books about composition, and complete a college course. Medieval music is relatively easy to compose, because there weren't many chords you can use (most of the chords were yet to be invented). You didn't have to worry about instruments, because medieval music is nothing but a bunch of humans singing together. The musical forms were extremely limited. If you're already a classical music composer, you should be able to master medieval music composition very quickly.