Early musical notation was much like a road map that lacked names or places. The use of neumes gave the basic shape of the tune and a primitive notion of rhythm, but could not tell the performer what note to start on. This program shows how all of that changed around the year 1030, when the choirmaster Guido of Arezzo came up with the simple device of a thin red line: a dot directly on it would always represent the note "F"; a dot above it, G; a dot below it, E; and so on. This system of Western musical notation paved the way for harmony—and composers. (51 minutes)

Tell a Friend! Your Name: Your Email: Your Friend's Email: Your Message: We respect your privacy and will not use your friend's address without permission. Item#: BVL10877 Copyright date: ©1999 VHS ISBN 978-0-7365-2144-4 DVD ISBN 978-0-7365-6293-5

Part of the Series : Howard Goodall's Big Bangs: Turning Points in Music History

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