Medieval Music

The Middle Ages or Medieval period began in 476 a.d. with the fall of the Roman Empire. Once the Roman Empire was gone all of Europe was independant and most places adopted a feudal system. In the feudal system a king grants land to nobles who would loan some of their land to their knights who used serfs or peasants to work the land.
During this time period Europe was plagued with war, disease, and famine. The bubonic plague had killed one third of Europe's population. This meant that people had much more important things to worry about than music, like survival. Most music of this time was religous and was written by monks. Gregorian chant is the main form of music produced by these monks.
Troubadours were traveling musicians and performers who entertained kings, nobles, and other high ranking members of society. These performers were the main supply and producers of secular or nonreligous music.
Many instruments were used during the medieval period. Alot of these instruments evolved into instruments we use today. Flutes were used but made out of wood and not silver. Lutes eventually evolved into guitars. Also many brass horns like trombones and trumpets were used.