Egyptian music has been an integral part of Egyptian culture since antiquity, with musicians occupying various roles in society. Instruments represented all major categories and were frequently inscribed with the names of gods. Different types of instruments were popular during ancient Egypt's Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. Egyptian music was typically in the key of E Phrygian dominant and used a variety of instruments, voices, and even teeth and hand clapping to create rhythmic accompaniment.

1. Egyptian
Music (Musica Egipcia)

2. • The music of Egypt has been an integral
part of Egyptian culture since antiquity.
• Music formed an important part of
Egyptian life, and musicians occupied a
variety of positions in Egyptian society.

3. Social Levels
Temple
musicians
Entertainers
Informal singers

4. • Hathor – the godess whom the Egyptians
credited the invention of music.
• Instruments were frequently inscribed with
the name of the owner and decorated with
representations of the goddess (Hathor) or
god (Bes) of music.

5. • All the major categories of musical
instruments (percussion, wind, stringed)
were represented in pharaonic Egypt.

6. Old Kingdom
Harps, flutes, and double clarinet

7. Middle Kingdom
Percussions, lute, and lyre

8. • The Egyptians even used their own teeth
as instruments they would make tapping
noises and would use special plucks to
make interesting noises with their teeth.
Hand clapping too was used as a rhythmic
accompaniment. Both male and female
voices were also frequently used in
Egyptian music.

9. Phrygian Scale
Ancient Egyptian Music could typically be in the key of E
phrygian dominant using the notes E, F, G sharp, A, B, C, D
and then have an A sharp, B, A sharp, G natural and E to
create tension.