1.2 Greek and Roman Musical Traditions

Greek and Roman musical traditions laid the foundation for Western music. From instruments like the aulos and kithara to Pythagoras's mathematical approach to music, these civilizations shaped how we understand sound and harmony.

The Greeks believed music had the power to influence emotions and behavior. Their system of modes, each with its own character, reflected this belief. Romans built on Greek traditions, adapting instruments and developing their own unique musical practices.

Greek Musical Instruments and Theory

Wind and String Instruments

Top images from around the web for Wind and String Instruments

• 

  Fragment 44 | The Digital Sappho View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ascolta l’ aulòs, strumento musicale a fiato dell’ Antica Grecia – VitAntica View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ascolta l’hydraulis, l’antico organo greco ad acqua – VitAntica View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Fragment 44 | The Digital Sappho View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ascolta l’ aulòs, strumento musicale a fiato dell’ Antica Grecia – VitAntica View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Wind and String Instruments

• 

  Fragment 44 | The Digital Sappho View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ascolta l’ aulòs, strumento musicale a fiato dell’ Antica Grecia – VitAntica View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ascolta l’hydraulis, l’antico organo greco ad acqua – VitAntica View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Fragment 44 | The Digital Sappho View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ascolta l’ aulòs, strumento musicale a fiato dell’ Antica Grecia – VitAntica View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Aulos, a double-reed wind instrument similar to an oboe, was popular in ancient Greece
  • Played in pairs, with the two pipes held at an angle
  • Used in various settings, including religious ceremonies, theatrical performances, and military contexts
• Kithara, a large lyre-like string instrument, was associated with professional musicians and Apollo, the god of music
  • Played by strumming or plucking the strings with a plectrum
  • Had a complex construction with a wooden soundbox, arms, and a crossbar to which the strings were attached
• Hydraulis, a water organ invented by Ctesibius of Alexandria, was the precursor to the modern pipe organ
  • Produced sound by forcing air through pipes using water pressure
  • Featured a keyboard and stops to control the flow of air to different sets of pipes

Pythagorean Musical Theory

• Pythagoras, an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician, made significant contributions to musical theory
  • Discovered the mathematical relationships between musical intervals
  • Established the concept of the "music of the spheres," the idea that celestial bodies produce harmonious sounds inaudible to human ears
• Pythagorean tuning system was based on perfect fifths and octaves
  • Constructed a scale using a series of perfect fifths, which were then adjusted to fit within an octave
  • This tuning system was used in Western music until the development of equal temperament in the 18th century

Greek Musical Modes and Ethos

Musical Modes

• Ancient Greek music utilized a system of modes, which were scales with specific interval patterns and starting pitches
• The three main genera of modes were diatonic, chromatic, and enharmonic
  • Diatonic modes consisted of whole tones and semitones (similar to modern major and minor scales)
  • Chromatic modes included intervals smaller than a semitone
  • Enharmonic modes featured even smaller intervals, such as quarter tones
• Each mode was associated with a particular ethos or character that could evoke specific emotions or moods in the listener

Ethos and Emotional Effects

• Ethos referred to the perceived character or emotional effect of a musical mode
• The ancient Greeks believed that different modes could influence a person's behavior, emotions, and moral character
  • For example, the Dorian mode was considered masculine, strong, and suitable for military training
  • The Phrygian mode was associated with excitement, passion, and religious ecstasy
• The concept of ethos was central to ancient Greek musical theory and practice
  • Composers and performers aimed to use the appropriate modes to elicit the desired emotional responses from their audience
  • The choice of mode was considered an essential aspect of musical composition and performance

Roman Musical Instruments

Wind Instruments

• Tibia, a double-reed wind instrument similar to the Greek aulos, was widely used in ancient Roman music
  • Played in pairs, with the two pipes held together by a capistrum (a leather strap worn around the player's head)
  • Featured prominently in various Roman musical contexts, such as religious ceremonies, theatrical performances, and banquets
• Roman wind instruments also included the tuba (a long, straight bronze trumpet) and the cornu (a curved horn)
  • The tuba was used for military signals and ceremonial purposes
  • The cornu was employed in military and civilian contexts, such as processions and public announcements

Choral Music

• Chorus, a group of singers performing together, was an essential component of ancient Roman musical life
  • Choral music was performed in various settings, including religious ceremonies, theatrical productions, and private gatherings
  • Roman choruses often included both male and female singers, although the exact composition varied depending on the context
• Choral music in ancient Rome was influenced by Greek musical traditions
  • Roman composers and poets adapted Greek musical forms and styles, such as the dithyramb (a choral hymn in honor of Dionysus)
  • Latin texts were set to music, creating a distinctly Roman choral repertoire
• Professional choral groups, such as the collegium tibicinum (an association of tibia players) and the collegium cantorum (an association of singers), were established to provide music for various occasions
  • These groups were organized under the patronage of wealthy individuals or the state
  • They played a significant role in the development and preservation of Roman musical traditions