The medieval period is by far the longest period in music history, stretching from the 6th to the 15th centuries. Because of this is breaks down into three sub-periods: Early medieval [500-1150], which overlaps with High medieval [1000-1300] and, finally, Late medieval [1300-1400].
Think early instruments like the recorder, the lute, and early forms of instruments like the violin and the organ. We are really talking about the period the historians call the 'middle ages', and the music of this time was both liturgical, or religious, and secular (non-religious). The religious music would have been associated with the church services such as the Mass, while the secular music would have been such things as the songs sung by travelling troubadours.
Music was relatively simple in this period, with melodies created over drones, or simple harmonic structures. This was the period in which music notation began to be developed, but writing music down was done by monks writing with quill pens on parchment or paper. Secular music — love songs, dramatic works, political satires and so on — were improvisatory in nature and learned by rote and handed down 'by ear' from one musician to another.
Key Composers
Hildegard Von Bingen
Pérotin
Guillaume de Machaut
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