Final answer:
Medieval music encompasses both sacred and secular forms. It involved monophonic Gregorian chants and later polyphonic styles during the Ars nova period. Instruments unique to the era, like the wooden flute, lute, and dulcimers, contribute to its distinctive sound.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Medieval Music
The music of the Medieval period was distinguished by its sacred and secular forms. The earlier Medieval music was defined by Gregorian chant, which is monophonic and part of the liturgical genre. By the high medieval era, however, polyphonic genres began to emerge, evidenced by the innovations of the Ars nova period. One notable figure from this period is Guillaume de Machaut, whose works like "Puis qu'en oubli" are characterized by a heavier feel using instruments that are rare in modern music.
Instruments in Medieval Music
Medieval music saw the use of various instruments that may seem unfamiliar today. Some of these included the wooden flute, recorder, gemshorn, pan flute, lute, mandore, gittern, psaltery, and dulcimers. These instruments contributed to the unique texture and sound of Medieval music, which can, at times, be reminiscent of certain modern folk genres due to their use of plucked string instruments and flutes.
Although much of the popular music from the late Medieval period has been lost, the existing pieces give us a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Medieval life, art, and culture. The transition from Medieval to Renaissance music is marked by an increase in the use of the interval of the third, with polyphony becoming increasingly elaborate throughout the fourteenth century.