The Inventor of Music: Top 30 Facts Tracing the History of Music and Its Inventors

The Inventor of Music: Top 30 Facts Tracing the History of Music and Its Inventors

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace,” said Kahlil Gibran. As I traced back the origins of music through time, I discovered musical instruments fashioned from bones in ancient cities like Beijing.

I learned how music and dance were essential to the rituals of early civilizations in Africa and the Middle East.

From the harps and lyres of Mesopotamia to the iconic opera houses of Europe, I unveil the visionary composers, musicians, and inventors like Mozart, Beethoven, and Les Paul who revolutionized music as an art over centuries.

This is a story about the evolution of music and its timeless impact on humanity. Below are the top 30 facts tracing the history of music and its investors

1. The Oldest Known Song was Written in Cuneiform on A 4,000-year-old Sumerian Clay Tablet

Feldstein, CC BY-SA 4.0, ancient city of Ugarit in Syria, via Wikimedia Commons

The oldest known song in the world was discovered on an ancient clay tablet in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit in Syria. This historic piece of clay dates back over 4,000 years to the ancient Sumerian civilization in Mesopotamia.

On it, archaeologists found a hymn written in Sumerian cuneiform – one of the earliest written scripts in human history. This hymn was dedicated to Nikkal, the goddess of orchards.

It was composed in nine lyre-accompanied lines to celebrate Nikkal and the fertility of nature. This iconic artifact provides remarkable evidence that complex-composed music existed back in 2000 BC Mesopotamia.

It gives us precious insight into the advanced musical culture of cities like Babylon and Ur where lyrics were set to lyre melodies nearly 6,000 years ago! This ancient song stands today as humanity’s oldest preserved work of composed music.

2. Instruments Like Bone Flutes Made from Bird Bones and Mammoth Ivory Have Been Found Dating Back Over 40,000 Years

The oldest musical instruments ever discovered are ancient bone flutes carved by prehistoric humans from bird bones and mammoth tusks over 40,000 years ago.

These primitive flutes were excavated from a Stone Age cave site called Isturitz in Northern Spain and also from sites in southern Germany.

They date back to the Paleolithic Era during the Ice Age and Neanderthal reign in Europe. The flutes found at these sites included a complete eight-holed bird bone flute carved over 36,000 years ago.

Their discovery proves that music was already an integral part of life for hunter-gatherer human cultures during the harsh Ice Age.

Ancient tribes from France to Germany could make sounds and perhaps even melodies on these flutes to communicate during tribal rituals and storytelling events.

These bone flutes mark the beginnings of human musicality even predating agriculture, towns, and metal forging. 

3. Ancient Mesopotamians Played Lyres and Harps as Early as 3500 BC

Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata, CC BY-SA 4.0, Ur, via Wikimedia Commons

The ancient Mesopotamian civilization that emerged around 3500 BC in cities like Ur, Babylon, Nineveh, and Uruk made monumental contributions to music.

Sumerians and Babylonians who dominated this Bronze Age ‘Cradle of Civilization’ in southern Mesopotamia invented some of history’s earliest string instruments like the lyre and the harp.

Intricately carved depictions, carvings, and even playable lyres excavated show this culture playing vertical harps and U-shaped bull lyres to perform hymns and odes for royal entertainment and religious ceremonies.

Love songs featuring lyres as a desirable courtship gift in Sumerian poetry further reveal how music has been an essential facet of life since the earliest written records.

Music theorization also began as Mesopotamian scribes described fundamental harmonies based on perfect fifths. So, by 3500 BC or earlier, advanced musical traditions were already thriving between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

4. Egyptian Musicians Played Harps, Lutes, Double Clarinets, and Oboes Since the Old Kingdom Period over 4500 Years Ago

The ancient Egyptians were prolific musicians from as early as the Old Kingdom over 4500 years ago.

Elaborately decorated depictions in tombs and temples show musicians playing harps, lutes, double clarinets, and oboes in royal courts, rituals, and festive processions.

Music was central to Egyptian identity and used in both sacred devotional hymns and secular love songs.

Their iconic instrument was the angular wooden harp often gilded and adorned with carvings which musicians like legendary court harpist Nefer-hotep would play to pharaohs alongside singers and percussionists.

The vibrant musical heritage of cities like Memphis and Thebes lasted for over 3000 years leaving traces from precarious reed clarinets to complex harp compositions written in hieroglyphs on papyrus.

This reveals the refined musicality woven into Egyptian culture since the dawn of recorded history.

5. The Earliest Forms of Indian Music Date back to 2000 BC during the Indus Valley Civilization

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The roots of Indian classical music extend back over 4000 years to the very dawn of South Asian civilization.

Excavations from Bronze Age Indus Valley sites like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa dating 2000-1000 BC have revealed delicate terra-cotta figurines of dancers suggesting music’s important role in this culture.

Some depict string instruments resembling archaic veenas. Bone flutes, bronze cymbals, and drums are also evidenced indicating they had an array of instruments. The Sanskrit Vedas which dominated religion after 1500 BC noted musical modes and chants.

By 200 BC seminal Indian text Natya Shastra codified classical ragas, talas, and their emotional attributes. Cities like Varanasi later emerged as hubs for complex Hindustani classical systems with Persian/Islamic influences after 800 AD.

So, the rich musical heritage of India is remarkably continuous today and has origins tracing back over 4000 years!

6. Chinese Music can Be Traced over 7000 Years Back to Neolithic Cultures that Created Bone Flutes

Chinese music’s roots stretch 7000 years to Neolithic cultures using bone flutes. In ancient China, along the Yellow River, cities like Xi’an and Zhengzhou flourished.

Skilled artisans crafted bone flutes, and early musical instruments, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry. This musical legacy evolved through dynasties, influencing renowned figures like Confucius.

The city of Luoyang, a hub for art and education, witnessed the blossoming of classical music during the Han Dynasty.

Thus, in the historic timeline of music, Chinese innovations in towns and regions like Henan echo ancient melodies, connecting us to the Neolithic origins of a musical journey enduring over millennia.

7. The Ancient Greeks Composed Epic Songs Honoring Gods and Heroes, Like The Iliad and Odyssey

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Ancient Greeks, dwelling in splendid cities like Athens, weaved the tales of gods and heroes into epic songs, like the Iliad and Odyssey. Homer, a revered poet, recited these sagas accompanied by music, turning them into harmonious narratives.

In the thriving cultural hub of Athens, philosophers like Pythagoras explored the mathematical elegance of music, influencing later maestros.

The melodies of ancient Greece, performed in amphitheaters like Epidaurus, not only entertained but also reverently celebrated their myths and legends.

Thus, in the heart of ancient Greek civilization, music became a powerful vessel for storytelling, immortalizing the heroic feats of gods and mortals alike.

8. Pythagoras Studied Music Mathematically in 500 BC by Exploring the Harmonic Ratios Between Notes

Around 500 BC, in ancient Greece, Pythagoras, renowned for his mathematical brilliance, delved into music’s harmony. In the city of Athens, a cradle of wisdom, Pythagoras explored the mathematical relations between musical notes.

This pioneering study led to the discovery of harmonic ratios, unveiling the mathematical essence of music. Pythagoras’ insights in the fields of mathematics and music reverberated through the ages, influencing great minds like Plato.

In the vibrant agora of Athens, where ideas converged, Pythagoras laid the groundwork for understanding the mathematical intricacies that underpin the melodic tapestry of music, leaving an indelible mark on both disciplines.

9. The Hydraulis was The First Keyboard Instrument Invented in The 3rd Century BC in Alexandria, Egypt

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In the 3rd century BC, Alexandria, Egypt, birthed the hydraulis, marking the inception of keyboard instruments. This ancient city, a beacon of knowledge, saw the ingenious creation of the hydraulis, an organ-like instrument powered by water pressure.

Ctesibius, an acclaimed inventor of his time, contributed to its development. The hydraulis found prominence in grand events, including the majestic festivities in Alexandria’s renowned theaters.

This innovative instrument laid the foundation for keyboard instruments, shaping the musical landscape and resonating through the corridors of history as the earliest precursor to modern keyboards.

10. Roman Musicians Played Tibia and Cornu Wind Instruments and Lyres During Festivals

In ancient Rome, musicians played music during festivals and celebrations. Some of the instruments they used were the tibia and cornu wind instruments, which are like flutes and horns, as well as string instruments called lyres.

Roman musicians would perform in cities like Rome and Pompeii during events like triumphal parades for victorious Roman generals. Famous Roman musicians included Tigellius who played lyre and sang for Julius Caesar.

Music was an important part of Roman culture during events like the Lupercalia festival, Saturnalia celebration, or the Secular Games held in Rome.

11. Indian Scholar Bharata Formulated the Natya Shastra Treatise on Music and Performance in 200 BC

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In ancient India around 200 BC, a scholar named Bharata wrote an influential Sanskrit treatise called the Natya Shastra, covering Indian music and performance arts.

Bharata lived in major Indian cities of that time like Pataliputra or Ujjain under the Maurya Empire and King Ashoka. In his Natya Shastra, Bharata formulated important musical concepts like the octave with seven notes, three registers, and various rhythmic patterns.

His ideas shaped the foundations of classical Indian music traditions like Hindustani and Carnatic music.

Later musicians like Amir Khusrow, who invented the sitar during the Delhi Sultanate era, further enriched Indian music. Bharata is thus considered a pioneer in the history of music in India.

12. The Earliest Preserved Musical Notation Systems Date from The 9th Century AD in Europe

The first written music notation systems that have survived to modern times are from medieval Europe, around 900 AD.

As music grew complex in European countries, musicians in places like monasteries and churches began devising symbols to represent musical notes and ideas on paper.

Some early musical notations were simple markings above the lyrics of chants and songs, guiding the rise or fall of melodies. More advanced systems were created later to denote rhythms, durations, and scales.

An 11th century monk named Guido of Arezzo invented a 4-line musical staff which formed the basis for modern musical notation. As literacy spread across Europe, these notation methods helped preserve compositions through books and sheet music.

13. Persian and Arab Musicians Established Schools Teaching the Music Theory of Al-Farabi in The 10th Century

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In the 10th century, Muslim musicians and theorists became very influential across the Persian and Arab worlds. One pioneer was Al-Farabi, who lived in ancient cities like Damascus and Baghdad under the Abbasid Caliphate.

He wrote a very important music theory book called ‘Kitab al-Musiqa al-Kabir’ (The Great Book of Music). His ideas about raga-like scales and rhythmic modes were widely studied in music schools of the medieval Islamic Golden Age.

Many later scholars in Persian cities like Isfahan or Arab urban hubs like Cairo taught Al-Farabi’s musical methods.

So within the cultural bloom of the Caliphates, Al-Farabi’s works helped shape theories underlying Middle Eastern and Central Asian classical music traditions.

14. Guido of Arezzo Invented the Musical Staff in The 11th Century

In the 11th century, a Benedictine monk named Guido of Arezzo made an important innovation that shaped modern musical notation. He lived in the city of Arezzo, in Italy under the Papal States.

At the time, monks had difficulty remembering Gregorian chants. To make things easier, Guido devised a four-line staff on which the musical scale could be written.

Notes were placed on different lines or in spaces to show their pitch. This allowed monks to visualize and learn chants more easily.

Guido also invented note names, the do-re-mi singing system, and pitched pipe organs in churches. His marked staff endures as the foundation of today’s sheet music. So Guido’s creative ideas helped advance and preserve music in medieval Europe.

15. Hildegard von Bingen Wrote the First Known Morality Play with Composed Music in The 12th Century

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In the 12th century, a remarkable woman named Hildegard von Bingen created the first Morality Play, a kind of theater piece with a moral message. She wasn’t just a playwright; she was also a composer, adding music to her plays.

Hildegard lived in a time when famous cities like Rome and Paris were bustling with activity. She was a nun in a famous town called Bingen. During her era, the Crusades were notable events.

Hildegard’s contribution to music and theater made her a pioneer, showcasing the rich history of creativity and innovation that has shaped the world of arts.

16. The Harpsichord Emerged in Italy in The 14th Century and Became Popular During the Renaissance Era

In the 14th century, Italy became the birthplace of a new musical invention, the harpsichord. This instrument gained popularity during the Renaissance, a time of great cultural flourishing in famous cities like Florence and Venice.

Skilled artisans in towns across Italy crafted the harpsichord, contributing to the growth of the instrument’s popularity. Notable figures like Leonardo da Vinci, living in this era, witnessed the emergence of the harpsichord.

Its unique sound and versatility enriched the musical landscape, becoming a symbol of the artistic innovations that characterized the Renaissance period in Italy and beyond.

17. Renaissance Composers like Guillaume Dufay Pioneered New Complex Harmonies in Vocal Music in The 15th Century

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In the 15th century, during the Renaissance, a visionary composer named Guillaume Dufay played a key role in transforming vocal music.

Operating in renowned cities like Florence and Burgundy, Dufay pioneered intricate harmonies that laid the foundation for modern music.

His innovative compositions, sung in famous cathedrals and towns across Europe, marked a departure from the simpler melodies of earlier times. Dufay’s influence resonated through the centuries, contributing to the evolution of musical expression.

The 15th century became a pivotal era in the history of music, with Dufay and his contemporaries shaping the complex harmonies that continue to captivate audiences today.

18. Claudio Monteverdi Developed Opera in Italy Around 1600 AD During the Baroque Period

Around 1600 AD, in the vibrant cultural landscape of Italy during the Baroque period, Claudio Monteverdi made a groundbreaking contribution by developing opera.

Operating in famous cities like Venice and Mantua, Monteverdi fused music and drama, creating a new art form.

His opera compositions, like “Orfeo,” showcased emotional depth and theatrical storytelling. Monteverdi’s innovative work transformed entertainment, captivating audiences with the marriage of music and narrative.

The emergence of opera marked a significant shift in musical history, influencing future composers and becoming a hallmark of Baroque artistic expression in Italy and beyond.

19. Baroque Virtuosos like Vivaldi and Bach Composed Intricately Structured Solo Concertos During the 17-18th Centuries

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In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Baroque period saw the rise of virtuosic composers like Antonio Vivaldi and Johann Sebastian Bach.

Hailing from cities like Venice and Leipzig, these musical masters created intricately structured solo concertos, showcasing the capabilities of individual instruments. Vivaldi’s famous “Four Seasons” and Bach’s works, such as the Brandenburg Concertos, exemplify their mastery.

These compositions featured solo instruments engaging in lively dialogues with the orchestra, displaying technical brilliance and emotional depth.

The Baroque era, with its flourishing arts in famous cities across Europe, witnessed the birth of solo concertos, leaving an enduring legacy in the history of music.

20. The Piano was Invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy in 1700

In the year 1700 in Italy, a skilled instrument maker named Bartolomeo Cristofori created a revolutionary invention—the piano. Operating in cities like Florence, Cristofori crafted an instrument that could produce both soft and loud sounds, unlike its predecessors.

The piano’s versatility captured the attention of musicians and composers, eventually making it one of the most beloved instruments globally.

Cristofori’s ingenious creation marked a significant moment in the history of music, influencing famous composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

The piano’s evolution became a key chapter in the rich tapestry of musical innovation, originating in the vibrant landscape of 18th-century Italy.

21. Classical Symphonies and Sonatas Reached their Peak under Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven in The Late 18th Century

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In the late 18th century, the brilliance of classical symphonies and sonatas reached its zenith through the masterful compositions of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Operating in renowned cities like Vienna, these musical geniuses transformed the landscape of Western classical music.

Haydn’s innovation in symphonic structure, Mozart’s melodic genius, and Beethoven’s emotional depth elevated the classical form. Their works, like Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, became iconic, shaping the future of music.

This musical triumvirate, flourishing in the cultural hub of Vienna, left an indelible mark on the history of classical music, defining the elegance and power of the era.

22. Romantic Composers like Chopin and Schumann Wrote Expressive Piano Music in The Early 19th Century

In the early 19th century, the Romantic period witnessed the emergence of expressive piano music, beautifully crafted by composers like Chopin and Schumann.

Frederic Chopin, from Warsaw, and Robert Schumann, from Germany, composed emotive and introspective piano pieces that captured the spirit of the time.

Their works, such as Chopin’s “Nocturnes” and Schumann’s “Kinderszenen” (Scenes from Childhood), reflected deep emotions and individual expression.

These renowned composers, active in cultural hubs like Paris and Leipzig, pioneered a new era of music that emphasized personal feelings and artistic freedom, leaving an enduring legacy in the rich tapestry of musical history.

23. Wagner Developed Leitmotifs while Verdi Composed Soaring Emotive Operas During the Late Romantic era in The 19th Century

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In the late 19th century’s Romantic era, two influential composers, Wagner and Verdi, made lasting contributions to music.

Richard Wagner, based in cities like Dresden and Bayreuth, developed leitmotifs—musical themes associated with characters or ideas—in his operas, like “The Ring Cycle.”

Meanwhile, Giuseppe Verdi, from Italy, composed emotionally charged operas such as “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto.” Their contrasting styles—Wagner’s rich orchestral complexity and Verdi’s soaring melodies—defined the era.

Wagner’s innovative leitmotifs influenced future film scores, while Verdi’s operas became timeless classics. These musical maestros, navigating the cultural currents of their time, left an indelible mark on the history of Romantic music.

24. Debussy Pioneered Impressionist Music Focusing on Tone Colors and Atmospheres in The Late 19th Century

In the late 19th century, Claude Debussy, a French composer from Paris, became a trailblazer in music by pioneering impressionist compositions.

Debussy’s innovative approach shifted the focus from traditional melody and harmony to exploring tone colors and creating atmospheric soundscapes. His famous works, like “Clair de Lune,” showcased a departure from conventional musical structures, evoking vivid emotions and imagery.

Debussy’s contributions, emerging in the artistic hub of Paris, marked a profound shift in classical music, influencing later composers and leaving an enduring legacy.

His impressionist style captured the essence of the time, emphasizing sensory experiences and breaking new ground in musical expression.

25. Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring Ballet with Intense Rhythms Marked The Advent of Modernism in 1913

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In 1913, Igor Stravinsky, a Russian composer, revolutionized music with “The Rite of Spring” ballet, signaling the arrival of Modernism. Premiered in Paris, this groundbreaking piece shocked audiences with its intense rhythms and dissonant sounds.

Stravinsky’s innovative approach, depicting a pagan ritual, stirred controversy during a time when traditional norms prevailed. The event, known as the Riot of Spring, became famous for its disruption.

Stravinsky’s bold departure from conventional styles, set against the backdrop of Paris, marked a pivotal moment in music, influencing the trajectory of 20th-century composition and defining the spirit of Modernism in the arts.

26. Armstrong and Ellington Popularized Jazz and Swing Music in The US During The 1920s-30s.

During the 1920s-30s in the United States, jazz and swing music soared in popularity, thanks to iconic figures like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

Armstrong, from New Orleans, pioneered jazz with his trumpet and distinctive voice, while Ellington, based in Harlem, led his orchestra to define the swing era.

Their innovative sounds and performances captivated audiences, making jazz a cultural phenomenon. In famous cities like New Orleans and Harlem, vibrant music scenes flourished.

Armstrong’s improvisational brilliance and Ellington’s sophisticated compositions left an indelible mark on American music, shaping the jazz and swing movements that would resonate for decades to come.

27. Les Paul Invented the Solid-body Electric Guitar in 1941, Revolutionizing Rock Music

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In 1941, Les Paul, an American inventor and musician, changed the course of rock music by creating the solid-body electric guitar.

Based in cities like New York, Paul’s innovation eliminated the feedback and enhanced the sustain of the instrument, providing a foundation for the iconic rock guitar sound.

This breakthrough influenced famous guitarists like Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix. Paul’s creation not only transformed the music industry but also became synonymous with the rock genre.

The solid-body electric guitar, born in the dynamic cultural landscape of the United States, remains a cornerstone in the evolution of popular music.

28. Parker Pioneered Bebop Jazz with Complex Harmonies and Rhythms in The 1940s

In the 1940s, the brilliant saxophonist Charlie Parker, also known as “Bird,” revolutionized jazz with the creation of bebop.

Hailing from Kansas City and performing in famous cities like New York, Parker introduced intricate harmonies and rhythms, transforming the genre.

His improvisational virtuosity and innovative compositions, such as “Confirmation” and “Ornithology,” marked a departure from traditional jazz.

Parker’s bebop movement, born in the vibrant jazz scenes of cities like New York and Kansas City, became a hallmark of modern jazz. His influence extended far and wide, shaping the future of jazz music and inspiring generations of musicians.

29. Presley Ignited the Rock-and-Roll Craze of The 1950s with Hit Songs like Hound Dog

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In the 1950s, Elvis Presley, known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” sparked a music revolution with hit songs like “Hound Dog.”

Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, and later rising to fame in cities like Memphis and Nashville, Presley’s energetic performances and unique blend of rock, blues, and country captivated the nation.

His magnetic stage presence and rebellious spirit symbolized the essence of the era. “Hound Dog” and other Presley hits became anthems of the rock-and-roll craze, shaping popular music and influencing a generation.

Presley’s impact on the cultural landscape transcended music, solidifying his legacy as a global music icon.

30. The Beatles Composed Sophisticated Melodies That Made Them the Most Famous pop/rock Band Ever in The 1960s

During the 1960s, The Beatles, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, became the world’s most famous pop/rock band.

Originating from Liverpool, England, the Fab Four’s revolutionary sound and sophisticated melodies, like those in “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude,” captivated global audiences.

Their cultural impact extended beyond music, symbolizing the spirit of the Swinging Sixties. The Beatles’ innovative approach to songwriting, combined with their energetic performances, defined the decade.

Cities like Liverpool and London played key roles in their journey to stardom. The Beatles’ influence persists, solidifying their status as music legends and shaping the trajectory of popular music.

Conclusion

As we unravel the symphony of musical history, from the ancient Sumerian hymns to the revolutionary sounds of The Beatles, our journey through “The Inventor of Music: Top 30 Facts Tracing the History of Music and Its Inventors” transcends time and cultures.

From the bone flutes of prehistoric Europe to the avant-garde compositions of Debussy, music has been an eternal companion to human experience.

Each revelation, from Pythagoras’ mathematical harmonies to Les Paul’s electrifying invention, echoes the profound impact of ingenuity on our shared sonic tapestry.

As we conclude this melodic odyssey, we recognize that music, the true inventor of emotions, remains an everlasting testament to the spirit’s universal language, echoing Kahlil Gibran’s words and opening the secret of life with harmonious peace.