The Evolution and Impact of Music

Historical Accessibility of Music

• In Beethoven's era, a symphony may only be heard twice in a lifetime.
• Today, music is as accessible as running water.

Misconceptions in Music History

• Western misconception: History of music as a history of works/composers.
• Tendency to treat music as an object and overvalue composers.

A Broader Perspective on Music

• Importance of seeing the bigger picture, beyond composers and works.
• Emphasis on the universal nature of music.

About Michael Spitzer

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

Prehistory and Evolution of Music

• Edison's phonograph (1877) marks the start of recorded sound history.
• The human voice is the oldest instrument.
• Archaeological finds like bone flutes date back ~40,000 years.
• Issues with biodegradability requiring inferential mapping.

Epochs in Human Evolution and Music

• Hunter-Gatherer (Nomadic)
  • Music had to be portable (e.g., voice, light flutes, small percussion).
  • Music was momentary and ever-changing.
• Farming Community
  • Music became cyclical, mirroring seasons/life cycles.
  • Development of musical rituals.
• Cities and City-States
  • Introduction of heavy instruments (bells, gongs) and delicate ones (harps, lutes).
  • Music's role shifted to serve social hierarchies.
  • Musicians professionalized and concerts emerged.

Functional and Participatory Nature of Music

• Historically, music performance was functional and participatory.
• No strict division between creators and listeners.

Impact of Staff Notation

• Invented by Italian monk Guido in 1020.
• Tool for church control, unifying singing across vast distances.
• Played a role in the global spread of Western music (e.g., Mexico post-Cortes).
• Negative consequences:
  • Made music notation precise but rigid, freezing it as an object.
  • Created a division between composers and performers.

Regaining the Participatory Aspect

• Modern technology reinstates the participatory nature of music.
• The internet allows for both creation and sharing of music.

Future of Music

• Just as past composers couldn't imagine modern music, the future holds unimaginable possibilities.