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MAP OF ANCIENT EGYPT
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Depiction of female musicians in Egyptian art
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Sculpture of Hathor: she was the Egyptian goddess associated with music
EGYPTIAN CULTURE
(approx. 3500 BC-332 BC)
-nomads settled around the Nile Valley; eventually cities developed
-architecture: pyramids, Sphinx, introduced stone columns, pylons,
-art: sculpture, hieroglyphics, paint from natural minerals
-the Nile provided agricultural abundance and trade opportunities, making Egypt very wealthy. This allowed for an upper class, who could afford to have music for pleasure, not just communication
-had a goddess of music, Hathor, so clearly, music was important to their culture
-musicians were typically women and had high status
-musical instruments: harps with cat-gut strings, reed pipes, early forms of tambourine and castanets, drums, primitive bugle- military, sistrum (rattle)- religious purposes
-Egyptian dance: only women, depictions suggest gymnastics was involved
-lyrics to Egyptian songs have been found: songs are about life's brevity and living in the moment
-nomads settled around the Nile Valley; eventually cities developed
-architecture: pyramids, Sphinx, introduced stone columns, pylons,
-art: sculpture, hieroglyphics, paint from natural minerals
-the Nile provided agricultural abundance and trade opportunities, making Egypt very wealthy. This allowed for an upper class, who could afford to have music for pleasure, not just communication
-had a goddess of music, Hathor, so clearly, music was important to their culture
-musicians were typically women and had high status
-musical instruments: harps with cat-gut strings, reed pipes, early forms of tambourine and castanets, drums, primitive bugle- military, sistrum (rattle)- religious purposes
-Egyptian dance: only women, depictions suggest gymnastics was involved
-lyrics to Egyptian songs have been found: songs are about life's brevity and living in the moment
EGYPTIAN INSTRUMENTS
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/0/1/24012794/554144661.jpg)
Clappers
- first instrument (prior to 3000 B.C.)
- thought to be an instrument to mimic human clapping, or adaptation of the primitive boomerang
- typically found made out of ivory, wood, or bone
- two types: one-handed, twwo-handed
- commonly depicted as human arms/hands, or decorated with the head of Hathor
- frequently used in the worship of goddess Hathor
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/0/1/24012794/352099544.gif)
Flutes ("mat")
http://panhistoria.com/www/AncientEgyptianVirtualTemple/flutemen.gif
- first wind instrument made by Ancient Egyptians
- made out of cane/stalks of reed
- number of fingerholes vary (two to six)
http://panhistoria.com/www/AncientEgyptianVirtualTemple/flutemen.gif
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/0/1/24012794/758673330.jpg)
Arched Harp
- similar to Sumerian harp; question as to whether Egypt adopted it from Sumer or vice versa
- vertical; generally stood on the ground and were played by a kneeling man
- most popular harp in all periods of Egypt
- functioned in religious context by accompanying songs about life and death
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/0/1/24012794/317698742.jpeg)
Drums
- first appeared in 2000 B.C.
- often painted with symbolic scenes, illustrating the drum's influence on evoking resurrection, creation, and the natural rhythms of the universe
- drum beats were used to coordinate the rhythms of oarsmen on the boats that sailed the Nile
- also used for ritual processes