Since creating music manuscripts was very expensive at the time due to the cost of parchment, manuscripts were mainly made from wealthy institutions. These institutions mainly include churches and things such as monastries. At the start of the era, the music is said to be monophonic and homorhythmic. With lyrics and accompanied by instruments.
Instruments
Instruments used in medieval performances were things still used today.
instruments such as The flute this instrument was made out of wood in those times apposed to metal or silver which is what the flute is made from today, this could be made as a side-blow or end-blow instrument. The recorder and the Gemshorn are two very similar instruments used in medieval times. The Gemshorn is similar to the recorder as it has holes on its front, though it doesnt belong to the same family. The pan flute was also a popular instrument in the medieval times, these instruments were made out of wood back then.
Medieval music also uses many string instruments. This includes instruments such as lute, mandora,gittern and psaltery. Dulcimers and and zither were a very similar structue to the psaltery.
The Hurdy gurdy was a mechanical violin which used a wooden wheel attached to a crank. Instruments without sound boxes were also popular in these times such as the jews harp. Early versions of the modern organ, fiddle and trombone( sackbut) also were existent in the medieval times.
Music Theory
Previously in the medieval times music was organised into "longs" and "Breves". The most famous music theorist of that time was Johannes de Garlandia he was the author of a music book. A German theorist of a later period, franco of cologne, was the first to describe a system of notation in which differently shaped notes have entirely different rhythmic values. There are a number of other things which became existent in these times through many other famous people.
Genres
In the era music is both sacred and secular. Although most secular music didnt survive till today.
Chant tradition
Chant (or plainsong) is a monophonic sacred form of music which represents the music of the church in the early medieval period. The jewish singing of pslams was a big influence on medieval christian chanting. Chant developed in european countries such as Rome, Spain, Gaul, Milan and ireland. These chants were created to support religous masses and liturgies. Different countries had different chant styles. In spain Mozarabic chant was used influenced by north african music. Gaulatic chant was used in Gaul and Celtic chant was used in ireland and great britain.
Liturgical Drama
another tradition which developed in the early middle ages was liturgical drama. This was music played with stories which were often religious and told many stories. This often included music, intruments, singing, acting, speaking ect.
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