Prehistoric erasFlutes are often discovered, carved from bones in which
lateral holes have been pierced; these are thought to have been blown at one
end like the Japanese shakuhachi. The Divje Babe flute, carved from a cave bear
femur, is thought to be at least 40,000 years old. Instruments such as the
seven-holed flute and various types of stringed instruments, such as the Ravanahatha,
have been recovered from the Indus Valley Civilization. India has one of the
oldest musical traditions in the world—references to Indian classical music are
found in the Vedas, ancient scriptures of the Hindu tradition. The earliest and
largest collection of prehistoric musical instruments was found in China and
dates back to between 7000 and 6600 BC.
Ancient EgyptThe ancient Egyptians credited one of their gods, Thoth,
with the invention of music, which Osiris in turn used as part of his effort to
civilize the world. The earliest material and representational evidence of
Egyptian musical instruments dates to the Presynaptic period, but the evidence
is more securely attested in the Old Kingdom when harps, flutes and double
clarinets were played. Percussion instruments, lyres and lutes were added to
orchestras by the Middle Kingdom. Cymbals frequently accompanied music and
dance, much as they still do in Egypt today. Egyptian folk music, including the
traditional Sufi dhikr rituals, is the closest contemporary music genre to
ancient Egyptian music, having preserved many of its features, rhythms and
instruments.
Asian culturesIndian classical music is one of the oldest musical
traditions in the world. The Indus Valley civilization has sculptures that show
dance and old musical instruments, like the seven holed flute. Various types of
stringed instruments and drums have been recovered from Harappa and Mohenjo
Daro by excavations carried out by Sir Mortimer Wheeler. The Rigveda has
elements of present Indian music, with a musical notation to denote the meter
and the mode of chanting. Indian classical music is monophonic, and based on a
single melody line or raga rhythmically organized through talas. Hindustani
music was influenced by the Persian performance practices of the Afghan
Mughals. Carnatic music popular in the southern states, is largely devotional;
the majority of the songs are addressed to the Hindu deities. There are a lot
of songs emphasizing love and other social issues.
Asian music covers the music cultures of Arabia, Central
Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Chinese classical music, the
traditional art or court music of China has a history stretching over around
three thousand years. It has its own unique systems of musical notation, as
well as musical tuning and pitch, musical instruments and styles or musical genres.
Chinese music is pentatonic-diatonic, having a scale of twelve notes to an
octave (5 + 7 = 12) as does European-influenced music. Persian music is the
music of Persia and Persian language countries: musician, the science and art
of music, and music, the sound and performance of music.
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its
common elements are pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre
and texture. The word derives from Greek. Music can be divided into genres and sub-genres although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres
are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally
controversial. Within the arts, music may be classified as a performing art, a
fine art, and auditory art. It may also be divided among art music and folk
music. There is also a strong connection between music and mathematics. Music
may be played and heard live, may be part of a dramatic work or film, or may be
recorded.
To many people in many cultures, music is an important part
of their way of life. Ancient Greek and Indian philosopher’s defined music as
tones ordered horizontally as melodies and vertically as harmonies. Common
sayings such as "the harmony of the spheres" and "it is music to
my ears" point to the notion that music is often ordered and pleasant to
listen to. However, 20th-century composer John Cage thought that any sound can
be music, saying, for example, "There is no noise, only sound.
Asian music covers the music cultures of Arabia, Central
Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Chinese classical music, the
traditional art or court music of China has a history stretching over around
three thousand years. It has its own unique systems of musical notation, as
well as musical tuning and pitch, musical instruments and styles or musical genres.
Chinese music is pentatonic-diatonic, having a scale of twelve notes to an
octave (5 + 7 = 12) as does European-influenced music. Persian music is the
music of Persia and Persian language countries: musician, the science and art
of music, and music, the sound and performance of music.