Evolution of Music and Its Impact

Accessibility of Music

• Historically rare to hear symphonies; now, music is ubiquitous.
• Western misconception: Music history is about works and composers, reducing music to a mere object.
• Overemphasis on composers' roles.

Lecturer Introduction

• Michael Spitzer, Professor of Music at the University of Liverpool.
• Author of "The Musical Human: A History of Life on Earth."

Prehistory of Music

• Phonograph invented in 1877; no sound records before this.
• Oldest instrument: human voice.
• Lithic instruments: Stalactites, rock gongs in Tanzania.
• Bone flutes (from vulture bones) found in South German caves (~40,000 years old).
• Instrument materials often biodegrade; inferential mapping needed.

Evolution of Sapiens and Music

• Three epochs: Hunter-gatherer, farming community, city-states.

Hunter-Gatherer

• Nomadic, portable music (voice, light flutes).
  • Music varied with each performance (e.g., Cameroon Pygmies).

Farming Community

• Settled life; cyclical mindset.
  • Invention of musical rituals.

City-States

• Permanent roots, heavier instruments (bells, gongs) and delicate ones (harps, lutes).
  • Music served power (princes, church).
  • Professional musicians, origin of concerts.
  • Music was for leisure, often by the elite.
  • Historically, music was functional ("Whistle as you work") and participatory.

Western Music Notation

• Originated in 1020 by Italian monk Guido (staff notation).
• Tool for church control, unified chant singing.
• Spread globally (e.g., post-Cortes invasion of Mexico).
• Notation had negative effects:
  • Froze music, made it cold and mechanical.
  • Separated creators from performers and listeners.

Modern Music and Technology

• Returning to participatory music culture.
• Greater integration with technology (internet) allows for home creation and sharing.
• Historical tech (e.g., bone flute) extended human capacity, similar to today's advances.
• Future possibilities in music are unimaginable to past composers.