Prehistoric music (previously primitive music) is a term in the history of music for all music produced in preliterate cultures (prehistory), beginning somewhere in very late geological history. Prehistoric music is followed by ancient music in different parts of the world, but still exists in isolated areas. However, it is more common to refer to the "prehistoric" music which still survives as folk, indigenous or traditional music. Prehistoric music is studied alongside other periods within music archaeology.
Findings from Paleolithic archaeology sites suggest that prehistoric people used carving and piercing tools to create instruments. Archeologists have found Paleolithic flutes carved from bones in which lateral holes have been pierced. The Divje Babe flute, carved from a cave bear femur, is thought to be at least 40,000 years old. Instruments such as the seven-holed flute and various types of stringed instruments, such as the Ravanahatha, have been recovered from the Indus Valley Civilization archaeological sites.[1] India has one of the oldest musical traditions in the world—references to Indian classical music (marga) are found in the Vedas, ancient scriptures of the Hindu tradition.[2] The earliest and largest collection of prehistoric musical instruments was found in China and dates back to between 7000 and 6600 BCE.[3]
Flûte paléolithique
Origins of prehistoric instruments
The use of the term 'music' is problematic within prehistory. It may be that, as in the traditional music of much of sub-Saharan Africa, the concept of 'music', as we understand it, was somewhat different. Many languages traditionally have terms for music that include dance, religion or cult. The context in which prehistoric music took place has also become a subject of much study, as the sound made by music in prehistory would have been somewhat different depending on the acoustics present. Some cultures have certain instances of their music intending to imitate natural sounds. In some instances, this feature is related to shamanistic beliefs or practice.[4][5] It may also serve entertainment (game)[6][7] or practical functions (for example, luring animals in hunt).[6]
It is likely that the first musical instrument was the human voice itself, which can make a vast array of sounds, from singing, humming and whistling through to clicking, coughing and yawning. (See Darwin’s Origin of Species on music and speech.) The oldest known Neanderthal hyoid bone with the modern human form has been dated to be 60,000 years old,[8] predating the oldest known Paleolithic bone flute by some 20,000 years,[citation needed] but the true chronology may date back much further.
Music can be theoretically traced to prior to the Paleolithic age. The anthropological and archaeological designation suggests that music first arose (among humans) when stone tools first began to be used by hominids. The noises produced by work such as pounding seed and roots into meal are a likely source of rhythm created by early humans. The first rhythm instruments or percussion instruments most likely involved the clapping of hands, stones hit together, or other things that are useful to create rhythm. Examples of paleolithic objects which are considered unambiguously musical are bone flutes or pipes; paleolithic finds which are currently open to interpretation include pierced phalanges (usually interpreted as "phalangeal whistles"), bullroarers, and rasps. These musical instruments date back as far as the paleolithic, although there is some ambiguity[9] over archaeological finds which can be variously interpreted as either musical or non-musical instruments/tools.
Another possible origin of music is motherese, the vocal-gestural communication between mothers and infants. This form of communication involves melodic, rhythmic and movement patterns as well as the communication of intention and meaning, and in this sense is similar to music.[10]
Miller suggests musical displays play a role in "demonstrating fitness to mate". Based on the ideas of honest signal and the handicap principle, Miller suggested that music and dancing, as energetically costly activities, were to demonstrate the physical and psychological fitness of the singing and dancing individual to the prospective mates.[11] Communal singing by both sexes occurs among cooperatively breeding songbirds of Australia and Africa such as magpies,[12] and white-browed sparrow-weaver.[13]
If you dig deeper in your research than you will find human used paintings and music to express themselves. So music and paintings evolved before speaking and writing. We understand that words have a melody in it. Also mimic the sound we hear to able to describe the animal, object, pain, feelings. After described those facts I would like to go through my subject in the title.
Which languages stuck in national borders and which not?
Nowadays math is a common language all over the world however everyone can not understand. Also english is common nowadays however it was french and german 50 years ago. National language has no chance to be accepted globally for a long time. There are several parameters behind it. But we know painting and music are still global language since prehistorical ages to nowadays. This reality will not change for a long long time. On the other hand if one day researchers sit and work for a global language than it may happen in the future however fact is going another direction. Electronic Global Translators! May be global translators will be easier to wear and use in the near future. But those should translate what we see and what we hear. On the other hand those equipments do not help languages to be evolved.
Music is still natural common language for everyone globally. However something goes wrong. The quality. Expressing ourselves. If we look at the statistics than we find that hip-hop, rap, pop genres are the top ones. Classical music is at the bottom. This means variety of narration is getting narrower in 50 years. This is interesting point because english is getting golobal language but variety of narration is getting narrower at the same time line. And most of the songs are in english. So I think there is a correlation between those.
So I sat and worked on to understand the correlation among music, language, hit ones, what causes the audience to choose etc. The result is a bit interesting. First of all the title of the song is important to be chosen. However whole package is critically important. Illustration (which means painting talks first) then title (talks) and genre. So I asked the second question "why youth prefer primitive hip-hop, rap, pop music?" and "who prefers jazz, classical music? and why?"
The enviroment and socioeconomical realities are the root cause of the selection. The basics say human prone to grouping according to social science evidences. The second evidence is dreams. Youth were born in a world has lots of problems, electronics, malls, cars and too many goods easy to reach. The life style had already shaped itself before they were born. This causes opposition & acceptence. Opposition causes rap, rock, heavy metals. Acceptence causes hip-hop, pop, candy & colorful life dreams. Because all and all the only language they have the music to express themselves. Then clothes, behaviour, equipments comes. It does not matter which way they go, they get lonely and become withdrawn(introverted). The world outside is in a race, wild and hard. The education, find a job and survive. Even if those are in undeveloped countries than it is harder. The psychological outputs are opposition or acceptence. (the lonely individual's need for language decreases. Individual does not need a rich language)
Also I have defined stereotype groups. Couples, couples with children, youth under 25, old people etc. I have spent hours, days, weeks and months communicating for 100 individuals from different cities. I have asked them to listen the music and try to define it. How did you feel? Why did you feel that way? Many other questions they have replied. I do confess I am thankful to them because non of them refused to listen and give a short comment.
After reached that point I worked on a musical language but also I used it for understanding better. I have composed many compositions. I have updated the title of compositions and checked audience activities. The results are equivalent with statistics. If I use a general title such as "Compostiion Cm", "Exercise 5", "Etude 35 Cm" audience did not choose to listen. When I have updated the title "Etude 35 Cm Piano concerto" than some piano lovers interested. After I have updated the title "You don't understand my love" than many more are interested. Also artwork for cover is important parameter so I kept it always the same. I did not change that parameter. But I have composed many different song in different genres such as classical, hip-hop, rock, symphonic rock, electronic pop etc. The results were equivalent with statistics again.
Only one abnormal result I have taken which was modern dance & electronic pop composition. Normally audience had not been interested much with the song but suddenly a huge peak happened. More than 1 million audience has interested. I can not explain that peak because I could not find opportunity to test better with different compositions for the same activity.
As a conclusion; whole world, no matter how age people are the music is still the common global language. And I am not happy about the quality where it goes. Because new top #1 genre will be simpler and more primitive(have less chords, less scores with narrow range of variety and even more electronic) than today.
Thank you for reading.
