The history of the emergence of music in the context of the conscious evolution of mankind, begins about 50 thousand years ago.
Presumably, the emergence of man, in his modern conception, occurred about 160,000 years ago. Gradually there was a settlement of people across the continents. It is known that individual manifestations of music exist in absolutely all peoples. Therefore, ethnographers conclude that before their dispersal, the ancient people of Africa (the place where the first human being appeared), already had a minimal knowledge of music. It follows that music has accompanied humans for more than 50,000 years, forever entering their culture and becoming an integral part of social life.
The first musical form, from the beginning of the history of music is designated by experts as a primitive (prehistoric) musical tradition. The existing modern types of music with the American Indians and with the Aborigines of Australia by analogy are commonly referred to as prehistoric. In general, the concept of prehistoric music is commonly applied to European civilizations, while many other countries use the concepts of traditional, folk or folk music.
The most archaic instrument that has existed since antiquity and has survived to our time is the flute. This artifact was discovered during the excavation of the most ancient sculptures, which are 40 thousand years old.
The next stage in musical evolution is considered to be the transition to the tradition of musical writing, which resulted in the music of the ancient world. The oldest song today is 2,000 years old. It was recorded on a clay tablet discovered during excavations of Nipur. Studies of ancient images embodied on walls and ceramic vases, as well as written monuments, indicate that in those days music developed into a polyphonic form. Judging by the description, one of the flutes could play the main musical theme, while another played at the same time, creating a background sound. The flutes and string instruments found in the Indus Valley are the instruments of that time.
The period from the decline of the Roman Empire to the end of the 18th century is considered ancient music. The origins of music at the beginning of this gigantic period were the Catholic Church, whose worship services were accompanied by a minor musical background. Thereafter, all world civilizations began the intensive development and diversity of musical knowledge and the corresponding instrumentation. Within vast regions individual musical traditions developed, totally unlike those of the neighboring regions. A multitude of musical instruments appeared which, according to the peoples’ opinion, most appropriately conveyed individual audio effects. Different nations developed distinctive types of musical instruments.
Initially musical education was given in churches, or music was taught by those who could play. Gradually, along with church education, there were schools that gave musical skills for secular entertainment. There appeared troubadours, bards, etc. Medieval music served as the basis for the birth of early Renaissance music.
The concept of academic music emerges, the development of which is estimated at the level of centuries. The specific instruments that produce the most melodious and varied sound become generally recognized and internationally recognized. Common norms and designations of musical terms are accepted, music is necessarily taught to children of noble and noble families.
In our time, the history of music studied by a special science, which is called the history of music. It is a branch of scientific and educational musicology, which primarily examines the culture of European music, its main stages of development, schools and genres. In many ways, embodied in the musical expression of intonation and feeling depended on the geographical location of the folk composers and the events taking place there, as it was very relevant to express their feelings in a multifaceted and multi-faceted musical work. The method for studying the history of music was to systematize the types and forms of music, the instruments used, and the ways in which the sound was conveyed on paper. The history of the origin of music, which began more than 50 thousand years ago and today is a very relevant object of study.