Greg,

As far as the techniques of musicians in the bible, you're right on...there are very few clues in there that speak of what music might have sounded like, but here's one:

"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters, and like oud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah!..."

The "roar of rushing waters" I'm guessing is that Middle Eastern melismatic, ulalating you heard...maybe not, but it sure is closer than anything we Europeans could come up with.