Learn about European Music from 1000 BC to Present

Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, Western musicians have constructed elaborate theories about music. Much of their focus has been on harmony and polyphony, the ways in which different pitches and melodies combine.

Composers have written much music for ensembles, orchestras, choirs and keyboard instruments. Europe also has a strong oral folk music tradition. Singing is the most common activity. But purely instrumental music is also popular, especially bagpipes and stringed instruments. Folk music styles vary greatly from one ethnic group to another, ranging from the narrative Ballad of Britain to the yodeling in Alpines of Switzerland and Austria to the highly complex melodies of the Balkans.

Although West European folk music shares many harmonic and melodic features with classical music, East European music shows the influence of Asia, especially the Middle East.


Transcription by: Scribe4you Transcription Services