Secular music;
Secular means being separate from (not associated or concerned with) religion. In the
West, secular music developed in the
Medieval period and was used in the
Renaissance. Swaying authority from the
Church that focused more on
Common Law influenced all aspects of Medieval life, including music. Secular music in the
Middle Ages included love songs,
political satire, dances, and dramatic works.
Drums,
harps,
recorders, and
bagpipes were the
instruments used in secular music because they were easy for the traveling musicians to tote about. Instruments were taught through oral tradition and provided great dancing music and accompanied the stanzas well.