Music: The Earliest Times

1. Music: The Earliest Times

2. Earliest Examples • Clay tablets found in Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq) mention 9 kinds of musical strings and 23 types of music and instruments. • The earliest instrument in existence from this period is the Gold Lyre of Ur, 2650 B.C.

3. Earliest Examples • One of the oldest instruments in existence is a flute made of bear bone, dating from 4100 B.C. • The oldest instrument that can still be played is a flute made from crane bones that dates back to around 9000 B.C.

4. Ritual Music and Worship • Music was used in African and Native-American tribes to appeal to spirits for success in hunting, battle, and to honor ancestors. • Animism- animals and inanimate objects in nature have souls and spirits • Groups who have beliefs based on animism had music that imitate sounds in nature, (animal and bird calls, wind, running water, and weather sounds).

5. Music in Egypt • Parts of The Book of The Dead are hymns that were performed for the Egyptian gods. • Ancient horns, harps, cymbals, and drums have all been discovered at burial sites. • Music played a part in festivals, religious rituals, and war rallies. • The Christian Coptic church, had many of their hymns influenced by early Egyptian hymns, these later influenced medieval chants.

6. Music of the Hebrews • The five books of the Old Testament make up the Torah. • These were performed in chants by priests in rituals of sacrifice at the temple. • Kings David and Soloman wrote poetry that was accompanied by music (with harp or lyre). • This poetry makes up the books of Psalms and Song of Soloman • There are specific references to instruments in the Bible documenting their importance to praising God.