1. MUH 3211 “Music History & Literature I”
MUH Music History I
6/12/2018
MUH 3211 “Music History & Literature I”
Section 0002 – (Class Nbr.: 93641)
Meets Monday, Wednesday & Friday
9:30 am - 10:20 am
PAC M 0260
(Performing Arts Center, Music Building, 2nd Floor – front [west end])
DAY 1 (25 Aug 17)

2. Scott Warfield Assoc. Prof. of Music History
MUH Music History I
6/12/2018
Scott Warfield Assoc. Prof. of Music History
Office: PAC M227
DAY 1 (25 Aug 17)

3. Important Web Sites for MUH 3211
MUH Music History I
6/12/2018
Important Web Sites for MUH 3211
Course Home Page (coming soon):
Syllabus (coming soon):
My personal home page:
DAY 1 (25 Aug 17)

4. Prologue
“Antiquity”

5. What is Antiquity? Timeline in book
Biblical = Middle East (c. 1,000 BCE – 0) - scattered OT references, Psalms, etc. - highly speculative
Greece (c. 800 – 200 BCE) - beginnings of “Western Civilization” - descriptive writings & iconography
Rome (c. 200 BCE – 476 CE) - mostly borrowed from Greeks

7. Ancient Greece

8. Ancient Greek Music Only about 45 fragments of actual music
Iconography more extensive (but….not always precise/complete)
Writings - Descriptive (events, objects, etc.) - Philosophical (why it matters, how to use it) - Theoretical (scientific explanations)
NO actual instruments, NO precise notation, and thus, NO definitive sounding music

9. Greek Vase w/ Musicians

10. Another Greek Vase

11. Greek Music (overview)
Repertoires of vocal and instrumental music - often intended for specific functions
Used in drama (often sung by chorus)
Used in rituals (civic and religious) - “singing” as a competitive event
All(?) music was: - Monophonic - possibly accompanied (very simply)
Vocal music superior to instrumental

12. Greek Music Theory More “scientific” description than practical
Pitch system based in tetrachords (4-note scale)
Intervals determine “genus” (pl. “genera”)
Tetrachords combined to create “tonus” (pl. “tonoi”)
Named after geographic regions: Dorian, Ionian, Phrygian, Lydian, etc.)

13. MUH Music History I
Music in Greek Culture
6/12/2018
Music (intervals/ratios) determined by number - Pythagoras discovered
Quadrivium: arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy (all numbers)
“Harmony of the Spheres” (inaudible)
Music moves the spirit/soul = Doctrine of Ethos
Aristotle & Plato - state obligated to teach a balance of gymnastics and music (only good)
Abstract study superior to practical music-making
DAY 1 (25 Aug 17)

14. Epitaph of Seikolos (Listening 1)
Ancient Greece: Song of Seikilos

15. MUH Music History I
6/12/2018
To Do List
Acquire: Bonds Textbook, Anthology of Scores & accompanying recordings
Find Web Site & Read Syllabus
Send me (per instructions on “daily assignment” web page)
Start reading Bonds Chapter 1 & 2
See “Daily Assignments” Web page for details
DAY 1 (25 Aug 17)