As the 1900's began, the variety of music genre began to grow exponentially it seems. Ragtime, big band, jazz, folk, blues, crooning, scat, country/western, funk, be bop, rock, southern rock, disco, punk, break dance, hip-hop, techno, acid jazz, progressive, alternative, house music and many other types and variables were formed. Rock and country/western spawned southern rock. Progressive and jazz combined to form acid jazz. After disco came break dancing which then followed with hip-hop, techno and house music. So as the instruments and supporting technology changed, the way we expressed ourselves with music also seems to have changed.

Ah, the early years and Medieval times. Where men were men and had to prove themselves. Their "worth" was valued on what they did and their honor. Unlike today, they didn't have lawyers, only the dungeon and the chopping block! The music composed during this era reflects this time well. For example, in Scotland the bagpipe can be traced back to exist in one form or another for about 3,000 years! Meanwhile in ancient Greek living the lyre (an early form of the modern lute) was used to express one's music. Even in 1225 one can read about how the musicians and music lovers argued about which animals guts made the best harp strings! Kinda like the way we argue about interconnects and speaker cable of today! The lyre was played with the right hand plucking the string by hand, or by using a plectrum, while the left hand stopped the strings when wished. Well, of course the lyre is obsolete and closer resembles the modern day lute than the harp.

Music of this period would be described by us today an elegant and simple. Like our present day harp music, it's simplicity and harmonics were of a complimentary order. Very tranquil and romantic. After all, they say music sooths the savage beast. Early Celtic harp music as on the currently available CD titled "The Enchanted Isles" by Carol Thompson (Dorian DOR-90120) should give you a good idea what i'm referring to. Carol Thompson is a VERY accomplished musician who's soul and musical ability is not only steeped with traditional music, but is also valued to to teach other these classic ways of performing music.

Meanwhile the zither was being used by the Austrian Tyrol and the Bavaria people. Variations of this instrument were also used in Japan, Africa, and the Middle East. Like the lyre, the right hand did the plucking, or by using plectrum to start the notes, and the left hand stopped strings from vibrating. The koto is the Japanese equivalent of the zither. This type of "technology" was used in various forms to express ourselves musically. It's easy to trace through the years as it evolved all the way to the electric guitar of our time! ANYWAY, the next takeoff of the lyre was the first bowed instrument called the rebab. The rebab looks kinda like a violin! Yep, as time progresses the rebab was later "improved" and was called the rebec which was later "improved" and was eventually called... YEP, the violin. The more that things change, the more they stay the same so it seems.