This document provides instructions for an assignment on the transition from monophony to polyphony in medieval music. It lists several audio examples for the student to listen to that illustrate stages in this transition. It explains that chant began as single melodies but evolved to include multiple, independent parts through a process called organum. First additional parts were simple like octaves or intervals, but over time parts gained more freedom and complexity with up to four independent melodies. The move to polyphony represented a major step forward in musical history. The document outlines what the student will learn and includes study activities for them to complete.

1. I need help with this assignment, Its due in three days! I need it
done in two if possible.
Here are the requirments to complete this assignment below. B
riefly listen to the sound tracks that I have linked next the Name
of the track and follow the directions below.
Explain the move from the single-melody chant to multiple
melodies sung or played at the same time (polyphony). Describe
the stages of this development. Do you think that some radical
monk started this movement? Explain why you think this move
to polyphony was such a giant step in music history. Your
opinion is valuable.
Paraphrase the process and refer to the listening examples to
help make your points
.
Lesson 4 - Monophony to Polyphony: Medieval, Gothic &
Renaissance
Overview
This lesson begins our journey through musical history, starting
with the oral traditions and tribal music and moving quickly to
the earliest written music in the Western European tradition. In
the Medieval/Gothic period, chant grows from highly developed
single-line melodies to octaves, simple intervals, and
independent parts. In the Renaissance, music spreads through
the culture more widely and is found in sacred and secular
settings, at court and at home. The importance of individual
parts continues to develop, and instruments begin to play in
families of similar instruments. Words are treated more
expressively, and melodies become more defined. We will look

2. into the favorite styles of the time--motets for sacred music, and
madrigals for secular music.
What You Will Learn
After successfully completing this lesson, you will understand
·
the great leap that took place with written notation.
·
the melodic complexity and influence of the Gregorian chant.
·
the breakthrough in the move from monophony to polyphony
(and the features of each).
·
the features of organum, motets, and madrigals.
·
the major musical terms associated with the period.
·
the contributions of the era's prominent composers.
Listening Assignment
Alleluia: Vidimus stellam -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApX4DJvPpEg
O successores by Hildegard of Bingen -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mRpGUu2mXk
Alleluia Dies Sanctificatus by Léonin -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBs-qf8AUCc
Agnus Dei, Notre Dame Mass -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKpexxzR4Ak
Ave Maria by Josquin Desprez -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UStX-kdE-tM
As Vesta Was Descending -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGTB1q2yEhQ
Song of the Birds (
Chant des oiseaux
) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-dkdgzYZbQ

3. Study Activities
Complete the Study Activities for this lesson found in the
student guide.
Summary
In a remarkably short time, there was a growth in the
Medieval/Gothic period from monophony to polyphony, with
highly developed single-line chants giving rise to additional
parts that gained increasing freedom. The move from
monophony to polyphony went through several distinct stages of
organum. Each stage contributed to the new freedom of
independent parts. The earlier chants remained the basis for
these new compositions through a technique called
cantus firmus
. The result of this progression was four independent parts with
different but complementary melodic activity.
In the Renaissance, polyphony continued to develop, with
imitation as a favored practice. Instruments began to play in
families (consorts). The favorite form of sacred music was
choral works called motets. In secular music, the counterpart
was the madrigal, and the move was from courtly to popular
forms, a more expressive treatment of words, and more clearly
defined melodies.
Pope Gregory