Review Questions:

1.
What were the three forms of English madrigals? Describe each type.
Madrigals were popular forms of music during the Renaissance. They were voice compositions
employing a number of voices, and are unaccompanied by instruments. In addition, they are
continuous pieces of music that do not repeat. The first type of a madrigal was Madrigal Proper.
This form of music was through-composed, and used word painting. The second type was The
Ballet. This style was lighter than the madrigal proper and was often danced to as well as sung.
This style was also strophic instead of through-composed. The last style was The Ayre. This
form of madrigal was performed in different ways, including with or without accompaniment.
When accompaniment is present, the instrument used varied. When printed, ayres were often
placed on 2 pages of an open book, with the music on the left and the lyrics on the right.
2.

What were chorales? Why were they popular?

Chorales were hymns that were composed of easy to sing melodies, often based on traditional
folk songs. They were popular because the printing press allowed for the publishing of
hymnbooks, making them more widely available. They were also easy to sing, allowing
practically anyone to sing them.
3.

What is a consort?

Consorts were instrumental ensembles consisting of 6 instruments: the flute/recorder, lute, cittern,
violin/treble viola de gamba, bandore, and the bass viola de gamba.
4.

Who was Guillaume Dufay? What contributions did he make to Renaissance music?

Guillaume Dufay was an early Renaissance composer, living from 13971474. He was a prolific
composer and one of the most influential of the 15th century. He wrote music in almost every
musical form available at the time. This included chants, motets, chorales, and Masses. In
addition, his music was printed and distributed across Europe. About 150 pieces of his work
survive today. His music influenced many of the composers that came after him.
5.

Who was William Byrd? What contributions did he make to Renaissance music?

William Byrd was an Englishman born in 1543, and was one composer who created consort
music. He composed over 470 pieces of music in several different forms, like motets and church
songs. He is also sometimes considered one of the first geniuses of the keyboard and many of
his compositions were published. One large scale consort piece, Browning, is a collection of 20
variations on a melody inspired by the ripening of nuts during the fall season.

Critical Thinking Questions

1.

How did music in the Renaissance differ from medieval music?

Renaissance music differed from medieval music in several different ways. First of all, the music
came from different time periods. Medieval music was also generally more monophonic. As time
progressed in the medieval time period, more polyphonic music came about. However, there was
much more polyphonic music present in the Renaissance period. Also, in the Medieval period
there was much more religious music, as the churches had more power. Throughout the
Renaissance period, though, more secular music was produced. Of course, as time progressed,
music became more complex, and new types of music were formed as well. The Renaissance
period had many more types of music, like Madrigals.

2.

What were the effects of the printing press on music and composers?

There were plenty of positive effects of the printing press on music and composers. The printing
press was invented during the Renaissance period. This unique concept allowed composers to
copy their music more easily. In turn they were able to sell more of it, gaining larger profits. The
invention also benefited music because these pieces were able to spread through society and
into others faster and more efficiently.
3.
If the Renaissance is thought to represent a rebirth or new birth, how is this reflected in the
music of the Renaissance?
The Renaissance, representing rebirth or new birth, is reflected in the music of this time period
quite nicely. Going back to the medieval time period, the instruments used were pretty simple.
The lyre, wooden flutes and pipes, and various drums were among the most popular instruments.
As we approach the Renaissance period, more innovation and experiment in music was present.
Several new instruments were developed. These included lutes, bowed instruments, recorders,
and reed instruments. As the instruments increased in complexity, so did the music. It wasnt
until the late medieval time period that polyphonic music became more prominent, which
extended into the Renaissance time period. These new forms of music were able to take
advantage of the new instruments present in the ensembles.
4.

What was the role of music during the Renaissance? How was it used in society?

Music played a very important role during the Renaissance period, and was commonly used in
society. During the Renaissance, most peoples amount of leisure time grew. This resulted in
more people listening to music, as well as buying different instruments. They learned to play
these instruments and music, helping to develop music as a form of entertainment and leisure,
instead of just religious uses. During this period of time, the popularity of dancing to music also
grew. Many Renaissance individuals enjoyed dancing to music, and this was considered an
important part of social events. This trend had the effect on the music itself, as some songs were
written specifically for dancing. Lastly, during this time, music was combined with written text.
This meant that music was being added to the performance of poetry and other texts, adding to
the meaning of different words. All of these reasons reflect on the role of music during the
Renaissance, and its use in society.
5.
Many of the songs from ancient times through the Renaissance built on the melodies of
previous songs. What were the advantages for composers of using a melody that had already
been created?
Composers, as well as ensemble members, had several advantages of using a melody that had
already been created. Composers had advantages of using previously created melodies
because he/she already knew what they sounded like. If a composer had heard a melody that
they liked, and wanted to incorporate into a song, it would be easy to do. Another advantage of
using a previously created melody would be if they had writers block. They could start the song
using a melody that had already been created, and build on it from there. In addition to
composers, ensemble members also had an advantage of using a previously created melody. If
the ensemble members had already learned to play a melody, it wouldnt be as difficult to learn a
new, similar one created by a composer. By using melodies that had already been created, there
were several advantages, both for the writers and performers of the music.