Can you imagine...
what it was like to buy a song or a book of music during the Middle Ages? First, you would need to find someone who knew how to write music, and then you would need to wait for them to write a copy for you. It would take a long time, and of course, you would have to pay for the time and supplies. The average person would never be able to afford to buy music. |

During the Renaissance
Johannes Gutenburg invented the movable type printing press. He took the idea of a wine press, and put it together with printing techniques from China and his own experience as a jeweler. His invention was first used in 1450 AD, and was able to print thousands of pages in a day!
For the first time, ordinary people were able to afford to buy books!
Johannes Gutenburg invented the movable type printing press. He took the idea of a wine press, and put it together with printing techniques from China and his own experience as a jeweler. His invention was first used in 1450 AD, and was able to print thousands of pages in a day!
For the first time, ordinary people were able to afford to buy books!

Over the next 25 to 50 years,
music publishers began to use Gutenburg's ideas of the printing press and movable type to print music.
Because of the printing press, more people could buy music, and more people learned to read and play music. Composers were able to sell more of their work. It was easier to share and learn new musical ideas.
Gutenburg's printing press changed the world of music!
Click on the video links below to explore music and instruments from the Renaissance:
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