Module 3: Ryhmes of History Technology

• With these thoughts in mind, find an example of a technology that represents a rhyme of history.

The new technological advancements in music listening devices – like the MP3 player.

• What does that technology rekindle or retrieve from the past that is a recurring theme of history?

I think the use of MP3 player rekindles the love that humans have for music.  Music has been with us as long as we can collectively remember. Musical instruments have been found dating back tens of thousands of years. Music was an important feature in Ancient Greece (BC) and continues to be an important feature today. (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grmu/hd_grmu.htm)

Ancient Greece

The ancient Greeks had a special place for music in their culture. It was commonly believed that music nurtured a man's relationship with the Gods. In fact, many ancient Greek myths included musical instruments, especially the lyre. It was believed that this instrument was invented by the god Apollo. One example is that Amphion, son of Zeus, used a lyre to help build the walls of Thebes. According to the myth, as soon as Amphion started playing, the stones started building themselves into a wall.

The lyre was a stringed instrument originally made of a tortoise shell with anywhere from three to twelve strings. The lyre was played with a plectrum, or pick. All the strings were strummed, but the player would press down the strings that he didn't want to be heard. The lyre was distantly related to the harp. The lyre was also used in Egypt and Sumeria. While the lyre was an instrument that amateurs could play, it's bigger brother, the kithara, was used by professional musicians. Similar in appearance to the lyre, it was bigger, heavier, and usually made of wood. The lyre migrated to Europe, but became rarer in medieval times to be replaced by the lute in popularity. (http://library.thinkquest.org/04apr/00275/ancient_ins.htm)

Australia (Aborigine)

The Aborigines of Australia came up with one of the world's oldest instruments - - the didgeridoo. Consisting of only a long, hollow tube, the didgeridoo is thought to be one of the earliest instruments made my man. A didgeridoo player blows into the instrument in a similar manner to a trumpet player. The didgeridoo produces a muffled tone that can be continuous through the use of a special kind of breathing. Above the one note drone that the instrument produces, the didgeridoo player can sing while playing, creating complex harmonies.

(http://library.thinkquest.org/04apr/00275/ancient_ins.htm)

Source: Music in Ancient Greece | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grmu/hd_grmu.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/04apr/00275/ancient_ins.htm