Frottola facts for kids
The frottola (say: froh-TOH-lah) was a super popular type of non-religious song in Italy during the late 1400s and early 1500s. Think of it as the pop music of its time!
These songs were usually quite simple and fun to listen to. They were often sung by small groups of people, and sometimes even by a single singer with a lute (an old string instrument, like a guitar) playing along.
What Made Frottole Special?
Frottole were different from other complex music of the time. They usually had a clear, catchy tune sung by the highest voice. The other singers would then sing simple chords (groups of notes that sound good together) to support that main tune. This made the songs easy to follow and enjoy.
Who Wrote Frottole?
The most famous composer of frottole was a musician named Bartolomeo Tromboncino. But other great composers also wrote similar songs. For example, Josquin, a very famous composer, wrote a well-known piece called El Grillo. This means "The Cricket" in Italian. In this song, the singers actually try to sound like chirping crickets in the grass! It's a fun example of how playful these songs could be.
How Frottole Changed Music
The frottola was an important step in music history. Around the year 1530, this style of song started to change and develop into a new, more complex type of song called the madrigal. So, frottole helped pave the way for future musical styles.
