Ancient Egyptian music

By: Brian 6B

Role and function of Ancient

Egyptian music to the society• Most of Egyptian secular and religious life was marked

by the performance of music and dance.

• Music was a component of life, an important piece to both secular and religious life.

• Music was used to entertain people and no celebration would have been complete without music and dancing.

• Music served not only as an entertainment, but as a way to pray to the gods for things, such as fertility, health, and protection.

History of Ancient Egyptian music

Egyptian music has been an important part of Egyptian culture since ancient time. The ancient Egyptians credited the god Thod with the invention of music. The earliest material and representational evidence of Egyptian musical instruments dates back to the pre-dynastic period. In the Old Kingdom, harps, flutes and double clarinets were played. Percussion instruments, lyres and lutes were added by the time of the Middle Kingdom. Cymbals frequently accompanied music and dance, as they still do in Egypt today. Ancient Egyptian music was linked to religious rituals as well as worldly entertainment: it was skillful, rich and diverse and influenced by religion, politics, trade, conquest and invasion.

Types of instrument in Ancient Egypt (Examples)• Percussion: Percussion instruments included hand-

held drums, rattles, castanets, bells, and the sistrum--a highly important rattle used in religious worship. Hand clapping too was used as a rhythmic accompaniment.

• Wind: Wind instruments included flutes (double and single, with reeds and without) and trumpets.

• Stringed: Stringed instruments included harps, lyres, and lutes--plucked rather than bowed.

Types of instruments in Ancient Egypt (Definition)• Percussion: Percussion instruments are instruments that

are sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater; struck scraped or rubbed by hand; or struck against another similar instrument

• Wind: Wind instruments are instruments that are sounded by the breath or other air current.

• Stringed: Stringed instruments are instruments that are sounded by causing taut strings to vibrate, as by plucking, striking, or bowing.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that Ancient Egyptian music played a important role in their society and history and their music and culture still influences today’s modern music.

Bibliography

"Egyptian Music." Egyptian Music | Tanzraum. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.tanz-raum.com/egyptian-music>.

Lesser, Andrew. "Ancient Egyptian Music." Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.andrewlessermusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Egyptian-Music.pdf>.

"Musical Instruments of Ancient Egypt." Musical Instruments of Ancient Egypt. 4 May 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.slideshare.net/Camikans/musical-instruments-of-ancient-egypt>.