Music History Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Music History?

Music has been around for centuries and its history is rich and complex. Music history dates back to prehistoric times, before humans began writing and recording their experiences. The earliest forms of music were likely vocalizations that would have served as a form of communication between members of the same species. As time passed, humans developed instruments to produce music, such as drums and flutes, which were made from animal bones or hollowed-out logs. In ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia, musical instruments were used in the context of religious ceremonies or rituals.The development of notation systems allowed composers to record their compositions in written form. Notation enabled the spread of musical ideas throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods when musical styles became increasingly varied due to cross-cultural influences. During this period, some important advances in instrument design occurred such as the invention of keyboard instruments like harpsichords and organs by organ makers like Arp Schnitger in Germany during the 17th century. With these innovations came new styles of composition such as fugues and chorales that are still performed today by classical musicians around the world. Instrumental ensembles became popular during this era with composers writing pieces specifically for them such as Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos or Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons among others that remain staples in many classical music concerts today. By 1860s symphony orchestras had become popular throughout Europe with some famous composers including Franz Lizt, Johannes Brahms, Richard Wagner among others writing works specifically for them which can now be heard regularly at concert halls around the world. During 19th century many new genres emerged from folk traditions across Europe while at same time jazz was becoming increasingly popular in United States due to influence African American culture had on it over years following end slavery there 1865 leading to what we now call swing style jazz music which remains beloved genre by many today both young old alike.