History of Music

By LuciaLF2021
  • Start of prehistoric music.
    50,000 BCE

    Start of prehistoric music.

    Prehistoric music was very simple. People used natural materials like bones, stones and wood to make instruments. They made music for rituals, celebrations and communication. The music was based on rhythm and simple sounds.
  • Period: 50,000 BCE to 5000 BCE

    PREHISTORIC MUSIC.

  • Start of ancient greek music.
    800 BCE

    Start of ancient greek music.

    Music in Ancient Greece was very important in education, religion and theatre. Greeks believed music influenced people’s character. They used instruments like the lyre and the aulos. A famous Greek musician was Terpander.
  • Period: 800 BCE to 146 BCE

    ANCIENT GREEK MUSIC.

  • Start of ancient roman music.
    753 BCE

    Start of ancient roman music.

    Roman music was influenced by Greek music. It was used in the army, theatres and public events. Romans used instruments like the tuba and the hydraulis (water organ). Music was important in festivals and gladiator games.
  • Period: 753 BCE to 476

    ANCIENT ROMAN MUSIC.

  • Beggining of middle age and medieval music.
    476

    Beggining of middle age and medieval music.

    The year 476 AD conventionally marks the transition from ancient tradition to medieval music, characterized by the rise of liturgical music, primarily plainchant or Gregorian chant. It was a period dominated by vocal music, linked to the church and, to a lesser extent, to popular tradition. Perotin was a famkus composer
  • Period: 476 to 1400

    MEDIEVAL MUSIC

  • Start of renaissance
    1400

    Start of renaissance

    Renaissance music is characterized by rich polyphonic texture, refined counterpoint, and the predominance of the modal system. This period is notable for its balance between voices, the rise of a cappella music, and the development of modern musical notation. Giovanni Gabrieli is a good example of it.
  • Period: 1400 to

    RENAISSANCE MUSIC

  • Start of baroque music

    Start of baroque music

    It is characterized by its great expressiveness and contrast, highlighting the use of basso continuo and the polarization towards extreme voices. Composers like Bach and Vivaldi were key.
  • Period: to

    BAROQUE MUSIC

  • Start of classicism.

    Start of classicism.

    It emphasized clarity and proportion, with the emergence of the symphony and string quartet and the elevation of the sonata. Haydn and mozart marked this period.
  • Period: to

    CLASSICISM MUSIC

  • Start of romanticism.

    Start of romanticism.

    Romantic music was emotional and expressive. Composers wanted to show strong feelings like love, sadness and passion. The music was dramatic and used big orchestras. An important composer was Frédéric Chopin.
  • Period: to

    ROMANTICISM MUSIC.

  • Start of impressionism.

    Start of impressionism.

    Impressionist music tried to create atmosphere and images, like nature or dreams. It used soft sounds and different harmonies. The music feels calm and sometimes mysterious. A famous composer was Claude Debussy.
  • Period: to

    IMPRESSIONIST MUSIC.

  • Start of contemporary music.

    Start of contemporary music.

    Contemporary music includes many different styles. Composers experiment with new sounds, technology and instruments. Sometimes the music can sound strange or very modern. One important composer was John Cage.
  • Period: to

    CONTEMPORARY MUSIC.