Do modern bands like Wardruna aim for historical accuracy in their music?

No, they blend modern styles with ancient instruments.

Were Norse boat instruments like the toggle harp influenced by Eastern origins?

Possibly, but historical evidence is limited.

European music was diatonic and heptatonic, resembling Western European styles.

Norse music during the Viking age is primarily understood through the reconstruction of instruments like liars, flutes, and drums, as direct historical evidence of their compositions is lacking.
The text challenges romanticized modern portrayals of Norse culture, emphasizing their connections with other European civilizations and encouraging a nuanced understanding beyond exaggerated stereotypes.

What instruments were used in Norse music?
Lyres, flutes, and drums.
Do modern bands like Wardruna aim for historical accuracy in their music?
No, they blend modern styles with ancient instruments.
Were Norse boat instruments like the toggle harp influenced by Eastern origins?
Possibly, but historical evidence is limited.
Is there historical evidence to support the myth of Norse overtone throat singing?
No, the myth is refuted.
How did European music of the Early Middle Ages differ from Norse music?
European music was diatonic and heptatonic, resembling Western European styles.

00:00

The text explores Norse music, highlighting the lack of direct historical evidence of their musical compositions during the Viking age.
It divides the discussion into three chapters: what is known about Norse music, educated guesses about their music, and what Norse music was not.
Norse music is primarily understood through the reconstruction of instruments used during that time, such as liars, flutes, and drums.
The text emphasizes that modern bands like Wardruna and Heilung do not aim for historical accuracy in their music but rather blend modern music styles with ancient instruments.
The discussion delves into the possibility of Norse boat instruments, particularly the toggle harp, which may have been influenced by Eastern origins.
The text refutes the modern myth of Norse overtone throat singing, stating there is no historical evidence to support this claim.
It challenges the perception of the Norse as culturally isolated, highlighting their connections with the rest of Europe in terms of language, clothing, and traditions.
The Norse are portrayed as more similar than dissimilar to other Northern European cultures, with shared linguistic, poetic, and clothing traditions.
The text critiques the romanticized portrayal of the Norse in modern pop culture, emphasizing their historical connections and interactions with other civilizations.
It concludes by encouraging a more nuanced understanding of Norse culture beyond the exaggerated stereotypes often seen in media representations.

14:28

European music of the Early Middle Ages was primarily diatonic and heptatonic, consisting of seven-note scales and melodies that sounded typically Western European.
The Roman Empire heavily influenced European music during Antiquity, transitioning from chromatic modes to diatonic modes by the end of its reign, which persisted into the Middle Ages.
Early medieval compositions in Scandinavia were also heptatonic and diatonic, suggesting their music would have resembled Modern Scandinavian folk melodies.
Pentatonicism, a five-note structure, is a common element in music worldwide, including Sami music in Scandinavia, indicating a potential presence in Norse music.
Heterophonic music, where multiple performers play variations of the same melody, is a prevalent form across all human music traditions, contrasting with Western European vertical structures.
The general framework of Norse music in the Early Middle Ages likely included heptatonic and diatonic melodies with pentatonic elements, possibly featuring heterophonic performances akin to Modern Scandinavian music.