Music has been around for approximately 40,000 years and continues to be important in cultures around the world to this day. It has evolved drastically since it was created, becoming a very important part of cultures around the world. Music allows people to share stories, express emotions, and keep their culture alive, but where did it come from?

 

Music originated around 40,000 years ago, likely for many reasons, such as having a way to express emotions, or for religious/entertainment purposes. Scientists have found ancient instruments such as flutes made of bones and mammoth ivory (a material found in a mammoth’s tusk), showing early musical development. In addition to early ancient musical instruments, when studying fossils, we have seen that our ancestors had a bone in their throat, similar to one we have, that likely allowed them to sing over 530,000 years ago.

 

We already talked about where music came from, but where do genres come from? When you hear music, one of the first things you think of is what type, or genre of music, you’re listening to. But where do these different genres come from? Genres like rock and roll originated in the 1950s in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Other genres, like jazz, originated in the late 1900s to early 2000s and originated in African American culture. Some traditional music also originated from religion and past cultures, such as gospel, which is often played in Christian churches around the world.

 

In conclusion, music has a long and interesting history that shows how important it is to people around the world today. From ancient flutes made out of bones to the large variety of genres we have today, music has always played an essential role in connecting cultures, generations, and feelings

 

Sources:

     Prasad, Aarathai. “When Did Humans First Make Music?” BBC Science Focus Magazine, 12 July 2023, www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/when-did-humans-first-make-music.

     Musicians Institute. “The Evolution of Music Genres | Musicians Institute.” Musicians Institute, 10 Jan. 2024, www.mi.edu/in-the-know/symphony-change-tracing-evolution-music-genres.

     Clark, Brian. “A Brief History of Music – From Origins to the Present Day.” Musician Wave, 29 Aug. 2023, www.musicianwave.com/history-of-music.

     Gorlinski, and Virginia. “Gospel Music | Definition, Artists, and Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Mar. 2025, www.britannica.com/topic/gospel-music.

---. “A Brief History of Music – From Origins to the Present Day.” Musician Wave, 29 Aug. 2023, www.musicianwave.com/history-of-music.