ALCORN STATE UNIVERISTY
1000 ASU DRIVE, LORMAN MISSISSIPPI
Musical Genres and the relevant dates
Definition of Terms
An Assignment
Presented in Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the course
MU 114 – 001 – Intro. to Music Literature
INSTRUCTOR: Alona T. Alexander
By
Jason Lawrence
August 29, 2018
Approval………………….
Dates for Music Genres
- Antiquity – 2500 BC – 400 AD
- Medieval – 500 AD – 1400 AD
- Renaissance – 1400 – 1600
- Baroque – 1600 – 1760
- Classical – 1730 – 1820
- Romantic – 1780 – 1910
- 20th Century – 1901 – 2000
Terms:
1- Primitive – Of or relating to the music created by indigenous people of a particular
region created before a method of writing this music was introduced.
2- Chinese Music – a style of organized vocal and instrumental sounds developed in
China that is largely based on the pentatonic scale.
3- Egyptian Music – music that originated in the Predynastic period in ancient Egypt and
includes the use of several percussive, wind and stringed instruments. This music is
believed to have been used by the Egyptian God Osiris as part of his attempts to
civilize the world.
4- Greek Music – (also referred to as mousike) referring to the music presented at social
and religious events via a variety of instruments. This music was also accompanied
with dance, lyrics and poetry and was considered to be an integral part of Greek
society.
5- Notation – a system of representing aurally interpreted musical ideas using written
symbols
6- Doctrine of Ethos – the belief that music has a direct effect on the soul and can effect
character and emotion by way of morals or ethics, with the use of separate scales etc.
7- Roman Music – music of ancient Rome that was an integral part of funerals and
sacrifices, and was also used to ward off evils. In a social setting, it was often used as
a symbol of status, as only the upper classes were able to afford musicians.