Music History - Year A
Prehistoric Music
The earliest forms of music were probably drum-based, percussion instruments being the most readily available at the time (i.e. rocks, sticks). These simplest of simple instruments are thought to have been used in religious ceremonies. There was no notation or writing of this kind of "music" and its sounds can only be extrapolated from the music of (South) American Indians and African natives who still adhere to some of the ancient religious practices.
As for the more advanced instruments, their evolution was slow and steady. It is known that by 4000 BC the Egyptians had created harps and flutes, and by 3500 BC lyres and double-reeded clarinets had been developed.
In Denmark, by 2500 BC an early form of the trumpet had been developed. This trumpet is what is now known as a "natural trumpet." It is valveless, and depends completely on manipulation of the lips to change pitch.
One of the most popular instruments today, the guitar, was created in 1500 BC by the Hittites. This was a great step; the use of frets to change the pitch of a vibrating string would lead to later instruments such as the violin and harpsichord.
In 800 BC the first recovered piece of recorded music was found. It was written in cuneiform and was a religious hymn. It should be noted that cuneiform is not a type of musical notation.
By 700 BC there are records of songs that include vocals with instrumentals. This added a whole new dimension to music: accompaniment.
As for the more advanced instruments, their evolution was slow and steady. It is known that by 4000 BC the Egyptians had created harps and flutes, and by 3500 BC lyres and double-reeded clarinets had been developed.
In Denmark, by 2500 BC an early form of the trumpet had been developed. This trumpet is what is now known as a "natural trumpet." It is valveless, and depends completely on manipulation of the lips to change pitch.
One of the most popular instruments today, the guitar, was created in 1500 BC by the Hittites. This was a great step; the use of frets to change the pitch of a vibrating string would lead to later instruments such as the violin and harpsichord.
In 800 BC the first recovered piece of recorded music was found. It was written in cuneiform and was a religious hymn. It should be noted that cuneiform is not a type of musical notation.
By 700 BC there are records of songs that include vocals with instrumentals. This added a whole new dimension to music: accompaniment.
Music in Ancient Rome and Greece
Greece was the root of all Classical art, so it's no coincidence that Classical music is rooted in Grecian innovations. In 600 BC, famed mathematician Pythagoras dissected music as a science and developed the keystone of modern music: the octave scale. The importance of this event is obvious. Music was a passion of the Greeks, and they were able to cultivate great artistic skills.
Trumpet competitions were common spectator events in Greece by 400 BC.
It was in Greece that the first bricks in music theory's foundation were laid. Aristotle wrote on music theory scientifically, and brought about a method of notation in 350 BC. The work of that genius is still studied today.
The next significant step in music's evolution was by Boethius. In 521 AD he brought the Greek system of notation to Western Europe, allowing the musicians there to scribe accurately the folk songs of their lands. Incidentally, it was Boethius who first wrote on the idea of the opera.
Trumpet competitions were common spectator events in Greece by 400 BC.
It was in Greece that the first bricks in music theory's foundation were laid. Aristotle wrote on music theory scientifically, and brought about a method of notation in 350 BC. The work of that genius is still studied today.
The next significant step in music's evolution was by Boethius. In 521 AD he brought the Greek system of notation to Western Europe, allowing the musicians there to scribe accurately the folk songs of their lands. Incidentally, it was Boethius who first wrote on the idea of the opera.
Source: https://method-behind-the-music.com/history/history/