Have you ever thought about the beginning of music, and how it’s significant in history? Music has been around since approximately 40,000 years ago, and has evolved a great deal over time. From the lyres and harps of Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to the pop songs and orchestras today, music plays a big part in society.

    Early humans like the Neanderthals were the first humans to play music. These people created bone flutes and drums made from animal skin, most likely for social gatherings or celebrations. Research shows that they were probably trying to imitate the sounds of animals and nature. Later on in Ancient Mesopotamia, 2500 BC, the Sumerians created one of the earliest string instruments called the Lyre. Already, music was developing fast. Evidence shows that the Sumerians used these instruments for entertainment, along with singers. The Standard of Ur displayed a lyre player and a singer in the top right corner of the mural, entertaining the King.

4,000 years later, classical music was born. Classical music was at its peak during the year 1750, around the time when Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach were alive. Centuries later, music began to become more modern. Jazz music popped up in the 1900s, in African American communities, and soon after Country music became popular in 1920. Finally, Rock and Roll and Pop music were created around the year 1950.

    Just like how books are divided into genres like fantasy, historical, and non-fiction, music has genres, too. The five main categories of music are Rock and Roll, Jazz, Pop, Country, and Classical music, though there are many more. Most of these genres became popular in the 1900s, except for Classical music. Other popular genres include Rap, Hip Hop, Metal, and Folk music.

    Today, music is very popular all around the world. Each region has its own kind of music, and music is an important part of culture. This art has been around for over 40 thousand years and continues to be part of our lives to this day.

    
   

https://www.mi.edu/in-the-know/symphony-change-tracing-evolution-music-genres/
https://historycooperative.org/who-invented-music/
https://www.audicus.com/homo-sapiens-musicus-or-why-humans-make-music-2/?srsltid=AfmBOordTyKoP8AGgKdMb_Meki8Qpjwtw81jzlKGpGSZhRrECwiB7e1H
https://fcsymphony.org/a-brief-history-of-classical-music/
Music Genres Timeline
https://www.clrn.org/what-are-the-5-genres-of-music/