Comparing Sacred Music and Secular Music - Essay Example

Sacred music is also sung by believers to express emotions, sorrows, and joy as in the case of David. His musical compositions, collectively called the book of Psalms are the earliest collections of sacred music that are still sung in Christian and Jewish churches.

Sacred songs are originally more homophonic or monophonic which means that they either sound alike or sung in one voice, very solemn, and very uplifting to the spirit. Among the most famous sacred song is "O Lord, Make Thy Servant" by Byrd which is beautifully sung by Westminster Cathedral Choir during mass.

On the other hand, secular music during the Renaissance period may have its early beginning during the 1300s to late 1470s. It is the contemporary European music composed during the Renaissance period or music that is not primarily intended for the church. Secular music particularly during the Renaissance is polyphonic which means that many sounds are heard, or the singing together of two or more voices. It is characterized by vocal pieces and dances, lots of instrumentals, and lots of painted words. The main type of secular music during the Renaissance is the German lied, Italian frottola, French chanson, Italian madrigal, and the Spanish villancico. Renaissance is commonly sung or presented by chorale families primarily to entertain.