Like all other forms of artwork, music probably dates back to the beginning of human culture on this planet. Unlike many other forms of art, it is a little harder to trace. Because much of music throughout the history of the world has been a part of the rich oral tradition, it is almost impossible to say where much of it comes from. Another complicating factor is the ephemeral nature of music before the invention of recording and playback devices. We will never know exactly what the music sounded like to generations before this, we can only rely on present-day, expert approximations.

There are many theories on the origin of music – from Africa to Ireland, from the Americas to Asia, almost every culture has a myth or legend on the origin of music. Many also have legends of amazing musicians whose music gave them supernatural powers over the elements and the human psyche.

When listening to traditional world music that is free from the influence of Western musical theory – like music from the Australian Aboriginies, African Pygmies or certain folk music from Asia – it is possible to imagine what the first music sounded like.

There are two basic sources for studying this ancient music. The first is through archaeological artifacts – instances where people have written down lyrics of a song, or written about someone who was singing. The second, and far more prevalent, is through cultures which have taken the time and effort to pass songs down through the generations. Many have changed slightly from their beginnings, but, in the cultures where it is religiously important to keep the songs exactly the same, we have the chance to hear the past through present voices. These songs are often about mythological heroes, or are religious in nature.

By the time we arrive at the Ancient Greek culture, we see the beginnings of western musical theory evolving. The great philosophers are beginning to write about what music should sound like, what it should be written about and how it should be performed. Ancient Roman culture further embellished these rules and norms.

During the Middle Ages music took on a much different feel. The majority of the music that was written down for posterity was commissioned by the early Christian church. In many cases it was written by monks who had the time, and were literate enough, to write it. Some examples of music written during this time are: Gregorian Chant, as well as the works of Léonin and Pérotin, Lorenzo da Firenza, Andrea Stefani, and Bernard de Cluny.

During the Renaissance, music was just one area of great development. It is during this time that we begin to see the development (or adaptation) of musical instruments toward their present forms. It was during this time that the violin was invented in Italy, and then adapted into the viola, cello, and eventually the Bass Violin. As well as the expansion of an idea that had been around since Roman times – the organ and stringed keyboard instruments like the clavichord. Near the end of the Renaissance period, the inventions of the harpsichord, virginal and spinette were very freeing for the musician of the time – it was much easier to play simple melodies on these than having to figure out where your fingers go on a fretless lute or fight with the heft of the keyed predecessors! But, in comparison with modern pianos, they were sill very limited.

During the Baroque period we see further enhancement of musical instruments. With every advancement in the instruments, the music stepped away from the traditional and towards the more modern as musicians tested the limits of these new instruments. It was also during this time that instrumentalists began striving for an equal temperament, as opposed to a true tuning, which would sound very strange to modern ears. This transition is seen in the title of one of Bach’s major compilation of preludes and fugues: The Well-Tempered Clavier.

The next period in western classical music produced the quintessential classical western composers. This Classical period was the generation of Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn. This period would be the standard by which many musicians and composers would be judged for many years to come. The Sonata, the PianoForte, and the string quartet were just two of the many advancements of the period.

Another major musical love from the Baroque and Classical periods was Opera. It was the place to see and be seen, and it was the best place to hear the newest music from the brightest musicians.

The music of Debussy, Liszt, Grieg, and Brahms all come from our next major musical period – The Romantic Period. It was during this period that we see the first major break from the traditional system of patron-funded composing. Here we see composers writing music that pleases themselves, and not being tied to what they can be paid to produce. Individualism is key.

As we move forward in time, we begin to move into the impressionist and modern period of classical western music. The music of this period becomes very experimental – influenced in part by the uncertainty that surrounded the would consciousness after World War I. Atonality and dissonance become key components of work. Bartok, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev are three composers who worked during this period.

It was during this final period that classical music and popular music seemed to split irreparably. Before, one could appreciate not only art songs but the folk music around them everyday. At this period, art music became something only to be appreciated by the academic world – the average person generally preferred something with a beat – the music inspired by ragtime, Jazz, R&B, and the completely scandalous Rock and Roll.