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The Complete History of Music, Part 1

Antiquity & Medieval

J. Anthony Allen

 UDEMY 

This class is for anyone who has wondered about the origins of music, how it came to be, and where it came from. 

If you've ever looked at a medieval instrument, and wondered how it was played, this course is for you. If you've ever watched an episode of Game of Thrones and wondered about the music, this class is for you. If you've ever wanted to learn how they come up with music for video games like Skyrim, Zelda (any of them), or anything else set in a medieval-esque world, this class is for you.

Read more

 UDEMY 

This class is for anyone who has wondered about the origins of music, how it came to be, and where it came from. 

If you've ever looked at a medieval instrument, and wondered how it was played, this course is for you. If you've ever watched an episode of Game of Thrones and wondered about the music, this class is for you. If you've ever wanted to learn how they come up with music for video games like Skyrim, Zelda (any of them), or anything else set in a medieval-esque world, this class is for you.

100% Answer Rate. Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

Topics Covered: 

  • Music of Antiquity

  • "Early" Music

  • Music of Mesopotamia 

  • Early music instruments: Harps and Lyres

  • The origins of music notation

  • Music in Ancient Greek culture

  • Music in Greek philosophy

  • Music in the early Christian church

  • Gregorian Chant

  • Sacred and Secular music

  • Boethius

  • Pathagoras

  • Hexachords

  • The Guidoian Hand

  • Poetry in Music of the Medieval period

  • Hildegard Von Bingen

  • Versus

  • Goliard Songs

  • Minstrels

  • Bards

  • Troubadours

  • Motets

  • And much, much more.

Dr. Allen is a university music professor and is a top-rated Udemy instructor. In 2017 Star Tribune Business featured him as a "Mover and a Shaker," and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes. 

While a lot of history courses focus on memorization, this is a course for those interested in immersing themselves in the music and culture. You won't find lists of dates to memorize here - this class is designed to be fun and enjoyable.

This is the first part of a multiple-course series. 

In this course, we will focus the entire course on the Antiquity and Medieval Periods. 

By the end of this course, if you follow along, you will be ready to move on to the Renaissance period - coming in part 2.

Please click the "Take This Course" button so you can start learning about the history of music TODAY.

I guarantee that this course is the most thorough music history course available ANYWHERE on the market - or your money back (30 day money back guarantee)

Closed captions have been added to all lessons in this course.

Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢  "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢  "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢  "Excellent explanations.  No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢  "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You. " - Jeffrey Koury

⇢  "I am learning LOTS.  And I really like having the worksheets. " - A. Deichsel

⇢  "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips. " - J. Pook

⇢  "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class. " M. Smith

Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts to all future classes in the series. 

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • In this course, students will learn about the earliest forms of music made by humans (that we know about), and how it became what we know as music now.
  • Students will learn how gregorian chant works, how it is notated, and how it was used in the medieval area in worship.
  • Students will learn how traveling bards and troubadours went town-to-town using music to convey the news of the day.

Syllabus

Welcome to the Complete History of Music!
Introduction
Copyright Information
List of Musical Examples Used in this Course
Read more
Asking Questions
What is "Western" music history?
Let's start at the very beginning: The earliest things we know about how music was being made.
What is Antiquity?
"Early" Music
Mesopotamia
Early Instruments: Harps and Lyres
The Beginnings of Notation
Next, let's look at ancient greek culture and how music was making waves in the philosophy, art, and architecture.
Music in Ancient Greek Culture
Greek Philosophy
Ethos
What did it sound like?
Meanwhile, in the rest of the world...
Much of what we know about early music comes from the christian church.
Music in the Early Christian Church
The History of Notation
Gregorian Chant
Sacred and Secular music
At this point in history we start to see systems coming forward to organize notes. Let's look at these early forms of music theory.
Boethius & Pathagoras
The Earliest Church Modes
Hexachords
Guido's Hand
Next, let's dive a little deeper into Gregorian Chant, and other chat types, that were developing at the time.
Types of Chant
Treatment of Text
Examples of Chant
More To Chant
Hildegard Von Bingen
While we don't know a lot about it, there was music happening outside of the church. In this section we will look at some of the things we know about secular music of the era.
A very, very, very, brief history of Europe
Versus
Goliard Songs
Minstrel
Minstrel Song
Troubadours
Guilliume IX, Song About Nothing
From here, we start to inch our way towards the renaissance. In this section we will look at a few last things that help to push us forward into that era.
Advancements in the Church
Polyphony
The 4 Inventions
Organum
Motet
Thats it for now - I have a few extra goodies for you in this section, though. Be sure to check it out!
What comes next? The Renaissance!
Thanks for watching!
Bonus Lecture: Discount Offers & Mailing List

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Complete History of Music, Part 1: Antiquity & Medieval with these activities:
Review Ancient Greek Music Theory
Reinforce your understanding of the foundations of Western music by reviewing the principles of music theory as understood in Ancient Greece.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Research the basics of Greek modes.
  • Study the relationship between music and mathematics in Greek thought.
  • Explore the role of music in Greek drama and festivals.
Read "The Cambridge History of Western Music Theory"
Deepen your understanding of music theory's historical development, providing context for the course's exploration of Antiquity and Medieval music.
View Stories of Tonality in the Age of François... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Focus on chapters covering ancient Greece and early medieval periods.
  • Take notes on key concepts and figures.
  • Relate the book's content to the course lectures.
Compose a Short Piece in the Style of Gregorian Chant
Solidify your understanding of Gregorian chant by composing a short piece using its characteristic melodic and rhythmic features.
Show steps
  • Review the characteristics of Gregorian chant.
  • Choose a suitable liturgical text or create your own.
  • Compose a melody using modal scales and free rhythm.
  • Notate your composition using modern or medieval notation.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Explore "A History of Western Music" by J. Peter Burkholder
Gain a broader understanding of Western music history and how the Antiquity and Medieval periods fit into the larger narrative.
View Listening to Charles Ives on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to Antiquity and the Medieval period.
  • Take notes on key composers, styles, and historical events.
  • Compare and contrast the information in the book with the course lectures.
Research and Present on Hildegard von Bingen
Deepen your knowledge of a key figure in medieval music by researching and presenting on Hildegard von Bingen's life and works.
Show steps
  • Research Hildegard von Bingen's biography and musical contributions.
  • Analyze several of her compositions, focusing on their unique features.
  • Prepare a presentation summarizing your findings.
  • Present your research to a friend, family member, or online forum.
Recreate a Medieval Instrument
Gain a hands-on understanding of medieval music by attempting to recreate a simple instrument like a lyre or recorder.
Show steps
  • Research the construction of a medieval instrument.
  • Gather the necessary materials.
  • Follow instructions or create your own design.
  • Experiment with playing the instrument.

Career center

Learners who complete The Complete History of Music, Part 1: Antiquity & Medieval will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Complete History of Music, Part 1: Antiquity & Medieval.
Cover image
Stories of Tonality in the Age of François-Joseph...
Save
Explores the development of music theory from ancient Greece to the present day. It examines the key figures, concepts, and debates that have shaped our understanding of music. It provides a valuable context for understanding the theoretical foundations of Gregorian chant and other early forms of music. This book is helpful in providing background and prerequisite knowledge.
Stories of Tonality in the Age of François-Joseph...
Paperback
Check
Stories of Tonality in the Age of François-Joseph...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Listening to Charles Ives
Save
Widely used textbook for music history courses. It offers a comprehensive overview of Western music from antiquity to the present. It provides a balanced approach, covering both the historical context and the musical analysis of key works. This book is helpful in providing background and prerequisite knowledge.
Listening to Charles Ives
Paperback
Check
Listening to Charles Ives
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
3 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
J. Anthony Allen
Language
English
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