Question

1. renaissance music was a reaction to medieval music. how was this best demonstrated?

renaissance music only used voices and did not include instruments.
renaissance music was smoother and lighter than medieval music.
renaissance music was more detailed and ornamented than medieval music.
renaissance music was only enjoyed by the wealthiest people.

Explanation:

Medieval music had a more rigid, complex, and sometimes heavy - sounding polyphony with a lot of dissonance. Renaissance music, on the other hand, strived for a more harmonious and smooth - flowing texture. It emphasized consonance more, had a lighter feel in terms of the way the voices or instruments blended together. For example, in medieval music, there could be a lot of independent and sometimes clashing melodic lines, while Renaissance music made these lines work together more seamlessly. Also, Renaissance music was not limited to voices (instruments were used, just not as prominently as in later periods like the Baroque), it was not more ornamented than medieval music (medieval music also had ornamentation, though in a different style), and it was not only for the wealthiest (it was more accessible than some might think, especially in court and church settings where a wider range of people could be exposed to it compared to some very exclusive medieval musical practices in some extremely high - end religious or courtly contexts).

Answer:

Renaissance music was smoother and lighter than medieval music.