An influential activity beginning in the Classical Age was play music, specifically with an instrument called an Aulos.[1] An Aulos was a pipe that was played in pairs during the Classical Age of Greece, and then was played as a single pipe after the Classical Age.[2] The Aulos was an important part of ancient Greek culture beginning with the Classical Age, due to the instrument enhancing multiple social events through a distinct, exciting sound.[3]

The mythical origin of the aulos begins with a satyr named Marsyas. [4] Marsyas was an expert player of the aulos, and he was also a satyr[5]. Marsyas found the instrument when it was thrown out by the goddess Athena, who was made fun of because her cheeks bulged out when she played. [6] According to myth, Marsyas challenged Apollo to a music playing contest, Marsyas played the aulos and Apollo played the Lyre.[7]

The Aulos was typically made out of wood, metal, or cane. The instrument had three or four holes [8], which would allow the musician to change the pitch of the instrument. The Aulos is considered a reed instrument.[9] The pipe had a slender body, with a narrow bore shaped like a cylinder.[10] The holes in the instrument were called finger holes.[11] A reed (mouthpiece) was used with the instrument, which was made out of cane.[12] The Aulos reed during the Classical period was a type of double reed, which is related to a modern oboe reed.[13]

The Aulos sounded omitted a “penetrating, insisting and exciting” sound. [14] The sound of the Aulos is also related to the sound of a bagpipe.[15] Due to the strong, penetrating tone of the Aulos, only one Aulos musician was typically needed while playing with a chorus of singers.[16] An Aulos was played alongside a chorus during religious activities or events, and also during theatrical plays and activities.[17] A lot of force was required in order to play the pipes properly, so the Greeks often tied a phorbeia, also called a leather strap, across their cheeks for added support.[18]

Upper class Greeks such as aristocrats would learn and practice the Aulos at their leisure; however, during the late fifth century BCE, the Aulos became associated with professional musicians.[19] Aulos musicians were often slaves, and even though they did not have a high status, they could still achieve fame through their musical abilities.[20] For example, Timotheus was a musician, and Harmonides, one of his students, was inquiring how he could become a great musician as well.[21] Timotheus replied “Your Ambition, Harmonides, is noble;.. this you are desirous to obtain, by appearing in public, and displaying your abilities before the multitude: but even by doing this you will not be universally known;.. the only method by which you can ever gain the desired end is, in my opinion, this;.. depend not on the multitude;.. chuse out the best and noblest of the Grecians, the wise few, who are acknowledged judges,.. if they admire and praise you, you will soon be known to all the world”.[22] In Timotheus’ opinion, you will gain admiration and fame when you are able to impress the best of the best within your own profession.

For the Greeks, music was seen as a literal gift from the gods.[23] The Greeks believed that music had a much greater role than just entertainment; they believed that music was able to have a moral and emotional effect on the listener and their soul.[24]

Bibliography

Cartwright, Mark. “Greek Music”. Ancient History Encyclopedia. http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Music/ (accessed 28 Oct 2014)

The Editors of Encyclopedia Brittanica. “Aulos”. Encyclopedia Brittanica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/43200/aulos (accessed 28 Oct 2014)

Lucian.The Works of Lucian. Trans. Thomas Francklin. London. 1780.

Neuman, Philip. “The Aulos and Drama: A Performer’s Viewpoint.” Didaskalia. http://www.didaskalia.net/issues/vol2no2/neuman.html (accessed 28 Oct 2014)

Wikipedia. “Aulos”. en.wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aulos (accessed 28 Oct 2014)

Wikipedia. “Marsyas”. En.wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsyas (accessed 17 Nov 2014)

Wikipedia. “Timotheus (aulist)”. en.wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timotheus_(aulist)#Ancient (accessed 28 Oct 2014)