The Medieval EraMedieval Era
music era approximately 476-1430AD of European music, sometimes called the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
music era approximately 476-1430AD, is generally thought to begin with the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) and end in approximately 1430. Most of the music from this era that was written down is religious in nature. Very little secularSecular
popular, non-religious, music music has survived.

At the beginning of the Medieval EraMedieval Era
music era approximately 476-1430AD, most of the music was chantChant
a sacred song and plainsongPlainsong
music sung with free rhythm in which everyone sings the same notes, music sung with free rhythm in unisonUnison
two or more voices or instruments singing or playing the same notes. As the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
music era approximately 476-1430AD progressed, music became polyphonicPolyphonic
music with more than one melody performed at the same time and countermelodiesCountermelodies
a melodic line that supports the main melody and harmoniesHarmonies
chords that support the main melody were added to the plainsongsPlainsongs
music sung with free rhythm in which everyone sings the same notes. Different types of music were written, including organumOrganum
the first type of polyphonic (multi-part) music, massMass
part of the Roman Catholic Church service, sung, and motetMotet
polyphonic vocal style originally secular or religious, but during the Renaissance became exclusively religious. SecularSecular
popular, non-religious, music music developed from the motetMotet
polyphonic vocal style originally secular or religious, but during the Renaissance became exclusively religious into balladesBallades
French poetic love songs, madrigalsMadrigals
secular songs for voice, generally not accompanied, and carolsCarols
song form in which different words are sung to the same melody with a repeated part sung in between. Instrumental accompanimentsAccompaniments
music played to support a melody line were improvisedImprovised
music created without preparation and not written down most of the time.