Renaissance and Medieval Music

Aims and objectives:

• To apply pitch to your own rhythm using modes

• To use a drone as an accompaniment• To be able to identify compositional

techniques used in Renaissance music

ModesC major Using these 7 notes

C, D, E, F, G, A, B & C

It is possible to create 7 new modal scalesDorian mode

Phrygian mode

Lydian mode

Mixolydian mode

Aeolian mode

Locrian mode

Dorian Mode

Use the first 5 notes only D E F G A

8 bars

Compositional techniques• Sequence: When the music repeats on higher and lower

pitches

• Imitation: When one voice copies another

• Retrograde: Playing the music backwards

• Inversion: Playing the music upside down

• Diminution: Playing the music twice as fast

• Augmentation: Twice as slow

• Passing notes: A fill note, usually small in step

• Swap the bars aroundYankee Doodle

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Drones

• Usually played in the bass• Sustained or persistently

repeated• Establishes a tonality• Usually a note or chord

D D D D D D

A A A A A A