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European Music History

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Submitted By asaeyang
Words 595
Pages 3
Questions to Consider: Europe
1. How is the history of European and Arabic cultural contact reveal through musical characteristics in places such as Spain and Bulgaria?
In Spain, the authentic flamenco had just a singer. It had a strained type of timbre and melisma was used a lot. It shows that there was Arabic influence because they also had that type of style. And because they also used a guitar as accompaniment, it showed there was European influence because they liked harmony. Bulgarian music also had harmonies but with voices. This was a European characteristic. Their music is very colorful and lively and I think that was Arabic influence.

2. What defines a music as "classical" as opposed to "folk" in the European context? How has "classical" music influenced "folk" music style and performance and vice versa?
In the European context, classical music is the highest class of music. Folk is a position relative to classical music. Folk music was meant for the common people. It was the opposite of classical music. Folk played classical music and folk music started to interest higher class people. They wanted to become part of a tradition. Classical music started using some folk themes.

3. Drone is especially prominent in many European music traditions. What are some specific manifestations and how does drone relate to the overall sound?
Drone is used in many countries in Europe. For example: Scotland, Ireland, and Hungary. In Scotland and Ireland they use bagpipes and had a constant drone to accompany the melodies. In Hungary, the hurdy gurdy also has drones. It makes it sound like there is more than one person playing. There is more going on so it sounds more fuller and complete with a constant accompaniment and a melody going along with it. It also has more volume if there is drone included.

4. Some "folk" instruments are designed to be easy to play

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