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Music
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Elements of the Medieval,
Renaissance and Baroque Music
Music – Grade 9
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Elements of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Music

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over them.

Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Gielyn A. Corporal
Editors: Maribel Vargas
Reviewers: Name
Illustrator: Mark Anthony Taduran
Layout Artist: Name

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Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Music 9 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Elements of the Medieval,

Renaissance and Baroque Music!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both
from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping
the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming
their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their
needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners’ progress while allowing them to manage
their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Music 9 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Elements of the Medieval,

Renaissance and Baroque Music!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and
skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills
or competencies you are expected to
learn in the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that

aims to check what you already know
about the lesson to take. If you get all
the answers.
This is a brief drill or review to help you
What’s In
link the current lesson with the
previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways
such as a story, a song, a poem, a
problem opener, an activity or a
situation.
This section provides a brief
What is It
discussion of the lesson. This aims to
help you discover and understand new
concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for

independent practice to solidify your
understanding and skills of the topic.
You may check the answers to the
exercises using the Answer Key at the
end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to

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 process that you learned from the
lesson.
This section provides an activity which
What I Can Do
will help you transfer your new
knowledge or skill into real life
situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate

your level of master in achieving the
learning competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be

given to you to enrich your knowledge
or skill of the lesson learned. This also
tends retention of learned concepts

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities

in the module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

This is a list of all sources used in

References
developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate
to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

The history of western classical music is time divided from Medieval to

Contemporary Period. This module will describe the musical elements of
selected vocal and instrumental music of the Medieval (700-1400),
Renaissance (1400-1600) and Baroque Period (1685-1750).

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

• Medieval Music
• Renaissance Music
• Baroque Music

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe the musical elements of selected the vocal and instrumental

music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Period;
2. identify the characteristics music by period; and
3. show appreciation on the music of the Early Western Period through
composing music.

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 What I Know

Good morning, today, you will get to know the characteristics of the music of
Western music during the Medieval, Renaissance and Romantic Period. Let’s
see your prior knowledge with the topic before we proceed.

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answers on separate sheet
of paper.

1. The Gregorian Chant is written in _________ Liturgy.

a. Latin
b. French
c. English
d. Italian
2. The period in music where it is mainly monophonic
a. Medieval
b. Renaissance
c. Baroque
d. Romantic
3. The Gregorian Chants were written in ___________ notation.
a. circle
b. oblong
c. triangle
d. square
4. A text is syllabic if ____________.
a. one note is set to each syllable
b. a few notes are set to one syllable
c. many notes are set to one syllable.
d. the note is not sung
5. Melodies during this period is elaborate and ornamental
a. Medieval
b. Renaissance
c. Baroque
d. Romantic

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Good Job! Now, check on the table the characteristics of music according to its
period.

Medieval Renaissance Baroque

Music Music Music
1 Imitation among the voices

2 Melodies are not easy to sing

3 Use of Church Modes

4 Use of word painting

5 Tells of chivalry and courtly love

Check the music genre according to its period. Again, check the appropriate period
of Music.
Medieval Renaissance Baroque
Music Music Music
1 Plainchant

2 Fugue

3 Madrigal

4 Concerto

5 Mass

GREAT! Are you ready?

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 What’s In

Take a look at the Word Search Box below. Search and encircle six (6) elements of
music from the WORD SEARCH Box. Write the words you search on a separate
sheet.

H K F I A E W V C D
A X O A I R N N M Y
R B R U O H O E P N
M S M A P K I L P A
O C K R H Y T H M M
N A J L U D E P E I
Y E H I C A S O L C
N E C B W D T L O S
T E X T U R E E D A
Y U R T J K S A Y A
Great Job! Now let us define each element by matching the definitions in Column A
with the elements in the Word Box.

___1. The movement of musical tones with respect to time.

___2. The softness or loudness of music.
___3. The combination of tones played together with one melody.
___4. Succession of pitches
___5. The relationship of various notes in a musical composition
___6. The musical structure of a composition

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 What’s New

Let us learn new words. Unscramble the words below to form new words.

1. NHTCA ________________________________________
2. PEALLPPCA ________________________________________
3. ARHSPIDCHOR ________________________________________
4. MEEUN ________________________________________
5. NIOCMPHOON ________________________________________

Look for definition of terms in your dictionary on the above unscrambled words,
and write it in your notebook.

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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 What is It

Now let us describe the elements of music by Period, from the Medieval, Renaissance
and Baroque Period.

THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD (700-1400)

Sacred Music of the Medieval Period: The Gregorian Chant

Characteristics of the Gregorian Chant

1. Monophonic
• there is only one melody sang by male monks
• no accompaniment is used/purely vocal
2. Free Meter
• the Latin text determines how long each note should be sustained
• no of steady pulse / irregular meter
3. Modal
• the Church modes was the existing scale used
✓ Ionian
✓ Dorian
✓ Phrygian
✓ Lydian
✓ Mixolydian
✓ Aeolian
✓ Locrian
*The Locrian is not used in the Liturgy as it was called the
mode of the devil.

4. Usually based on Latin Liturgy

• Latin is used in the text since music is widely used in the sacred
liturgy. Ecclesiastical Latin is the universal language of the Roman
Catholic Church.
5. Use of Neume Notation
• Square notes

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The music sheet below is a Gregorian Chant written in Neumes notation.

Source: Helsinki University Library, http://www.lib.helsinki.fi/ yleistieto/historia.htm Image

modified by Bridesmill as FAC reviewer complained it was skewed.

Secular Music of the Medieval Period: The Troubadour Music

During the latter part of the Medieval Period, secular music which was not
bound by Catholic traditions emerged. Most of these songs were performed
across Europe by groups of musicians called Troubadours.
Characteristics of the Troubadour Music

• Usually Monophonic
o Single melody/no harmony
• Sometimes with improvised accompaniment
o Instruments: pipe, psaltery, lyre, shawm, sackbut, vielle, harp,
tabor
• Tells about chivalry and courtly love
o The story of Robin Hood was popular
• Originated in France
• Written in the French language

Source: DepEd: A Journey Through Western Music and Arts 9 Learner’s Module by Department of
Education, pp. 6-8

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THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD (1400-1600)

Characteristics of the Renaissance Music

• Mostly polyphonic
• Imitation among the voices is common
o Each voice uses the same melodic ideas abut starts at different
times
• Use of word painting in texts and music
o Example: If the text says climbing a mountain, the pitch rises; if
the text says hell, the pitch goes low.
• Melodic lines move in a flowing manner
• Melodies are easier to perform because these move along a scale with
a few large leaps.

Sacred Music of the Renaissance Period: The Mass

Characteristics of the Mass

• Polyphonic
• May be sung a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment
• Text may be:
o syllabic – one note set to each syllable
o neumatic – a few notes set to one syllable
o melismatic – many notes to one syllable
Five Main Sections of the Mass:

English Mass Bikol Mass

Kyrie “Lord Have Mercy” “Kagurangnan,
Maherak Ka”
Gloria “Glory to God in the “Kamurawayan sa Dios
Highest” sa Kaitaasan”
Credo “Nicene Creed” “Nagtutubod Ako”
Sanctus et Benedictus “Holy, Holy” and “Banal, Banal” asin
“Blessed is He” “Paladan and
Minadigdi”
Agnus Dei “Lamb of God” “Cordero kan Dios”

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The Five Main Sections of the Mass were written in Latin except for Kyrie
which is written in Greek.

Secular Music of the Renaissance Period: The Madrigal

Characteristics of the Madrigal

• Polyphonic
• Sung a cappella
• Through-composed
• Frequently in 3 to 6 voices

Source: DepEd: A Journey Through Western Music and Arts 9 Learner’s Module by
Department of Education, pp. 9-10

THE BAROQUE PERIOD (1685-1750)

Characteristics of Baroque Music

1. Melodies sound elaborate and ornamental

2. Melodies are not easy to sing or remember
3. Primarily contrapuntal textures with some homophony
4. Dynamic contrast – alternation between loud and soft
5. Music genres – operas, oratories, suites, toccatas, concerto
grosso, fugue
a. Concerto – a form of orchestral music that employs a solo
instrument accompanied by an orchestra
b. Concerto Grosso – a form of orchestral music during the
Baroque Period wherein the music is between a small group
of solo instruments called concertino and the whole
orchestra called tutti.
c. Fugue – a contrapuntal piece, developed mainly by
imitative counterpoint. It is usually written in 3 or 4 parts,
with a main theme called “subject”. The entire piece grows
mainly form a single brief tune of strong musical character.
d. Oratorio - a large scale musical composition for orchestra
and voices that incorporates narratives on religious
themes. Unlike usual theatrical works, this is usually
performed without the use of costumes, scenery, or action.
It is usually written in the native language for the intended
audience.
Examples:
a. Handel’s “Messiah,” “Samson,” “Israel,” and “Egypt”

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 b. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio”
c. Haydn’s “ The Creation”
e. Chorale – musical compositions that resemble a
harmonized version of hymnal tunes of the Protestant
Church during the Baroque era.
Original Baroque Chorale Gott, Bleib bei uns R.107
6. Orchestra consists of strings and continuo
7. Harpsichord and organ are the keyboard instruments that are
commonly used.
8. New forms:
a. Binary – AB
b. Ternary – ABC
c. Ground bass
d. Fugue

Source: DepEd: A Journey Through Western Music and Arts 9 Learner’s Module by Department of
Education, pp. 13-16.

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 What’s More

Now, let us describe the elements by period to see how the elements of music
of the western music evolved.
From the learned characteristics of Music, in What is It, complete the chart
below.
Medieval Renaissance Baroque
Sacred Music
Secular Music
Music Genres

Nice, further we
Medieval Renaissance Baroque
Gregorian Troubadour
Mass Madrigal
Chant Music
Texture
Melody
Language
Theme

How do you describe the development of music from the Medieval to the
Baroque Period?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned

1. The music of the early periods were divided into two: the
(1)_____________ and secular music. The sacred music of the Medieval
Period was the (2)______________, while sacred music of the
Renaissance was the (3)___________. The secular music of the Medieval
was the music of the troubadours while Renaissance was the Madrigal.
2. The evolution of the texture of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque
Period started from the simple monophonic (single melody) of the
chants to polyphonic of the Renaissance to highly polyphonic
contrapuntal with some (4)_____________ respectively of the many
voices of the vocal music and additional instruments formed.
3. ____________ notation for music notation was first used, then developed
to our modern music notation today.

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 What I can do

Composition: Word Painting

1. Compose four-line poetry about love in your vernacular/local dialect
below the staff. Divide the words by syllables.
2. Using word painting, draw the notes on each syllables using whole

notes only on the staff. Remember, one note per syllable. Follow
and use words for word painting.

3 2 1

Ideas and Content Creative and Generally creative Little creativity or

original originality

Language and word Each word is Some carefully Little words

choice carefully chosen words are carefully chosen
carefully chosen

Music Notation All notes were Some notes were Little notes were
written in their written in their written in their
corresponding corresponding corresponding
syllables syllables syllables

Word painting Correct use of Some use of word No word painting

word painting painting were was clearly seen
were carefully carefully written
written

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 Assessment

Let us check your comprehension. Analyze by filling the blanks with the
correct answer. Choose from the group of words inside the parenthesis. Write
your answers on a separate sheet.
1. Gregorian Chant: Latin
Music of the Troubadours: __________ (Latin, French, English)

2. Gregorian Chant: _____________ (purely vocal, purely instrumental)

Music of the Troubadours: sometimes with improvised
accompaniment

3. Gregorian Chant : sacred

Music of the Troubadours: ____________ (sacred, secular, both)

4. Gregorian Chant: God

Music of the Troubadours: _______________(God, love and chivalry,
protest)

5. Medieval Texture : monophonic

Renaissance Texture: ___________ (monophonic, polyphonic,
homophonic)

6. Mass : ______________ (sacred, secular, both)

Madrigal : secular

7. Kyrie : Greek
Gloria : ______________ (Greek, Latin, French)

8. Credo : ______________ (Lord Have Mercy, Nicene Creed, Lamb of

God)
Agnus Dei : Lamb of God

9. Medieval : Music of the Troubadours

Renaissance: ______________ (Mass, Madrigal, Fugue)

10. Gregorian Chant: Vocal

Fugue : _______________ (Vocal, Instrumental, Both)

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Matching Type:

Choose the letter of the best answer. Use a separate sheet of paper for your
answers.

1. Musical instruments commonly used during the Baroque Period

a. Organ and harp
b. Organ and Harpsichord
c. Piano and violin
d. Harpsichord and piano
2. Which Church Modes was not because it was named as the “mode of
the devil”
a. Ionian
b. Phrygian
c. Lydian
d. Locrian
3. This music originated in France.
a. Madrigal
b. Music of the troubadours
c. Mass
d. Chorale
4. A piece of music with two or more melodic lines.
a. Contrapuntal
b. Homophony
c. Harpsichord
d. Organ
5. A large scale musical composition for orchestra and voices that
incorporates narrative or religious themes.
a. Oratorio
b. Concerto
c. Concerto Grosso
d. Chorale

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 Additional Activities

List down the gains that we get from the three periods in the development of our
present music today.

Medieval Renaissance Baroque

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 23
What I Know What I have Assessment
6. A
learned 1. French
7. A 1. Sacred 2. Purely vocal
8. D 2. Gregorian Chant 3. Secular
9. A 3. Mass
10.C 4. Love and chivalry
4. Homophony
11.Renaissance 5. Polyphonic
5. Neumes
12.Baroque 6. Sacred
13.Medieval
7. Latin
14.Renaissance
15.Medieval 8. Nicene Creed
16.Medieval 9. Madrigal
17.Baroque 10. Instrumental
18.Renaissance
19.Baroque
20.Renaissance 1. B
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. A
Answer key
 References

A Journey Through Western Music and Arts 9 Learner’s Module by Department of

Education, pp. 2-8

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