* Stone Age (3000-2000 BCE): Musical instruments such as flutes, rattles, and drums were used by early humans.
* Bronze Age (2000-1200 BCE): More sophisticated musical instruments were developed, such as the lyre and the trumpet.
* Iron Age (1200-500 BCE): Music became more complex and varied, with the development of polyphony and harmony.
Ancient music (500 BCE - 500 CE)
* Greek music: Greek music was highly developed and influential in the Western world. It was based on a system of scales and modes, and included vocal and instrumental music.
* Roman music: Roman music was influenced by Greek music, but it also incorporated elements of Etruscan and other Italic music.
* Byzantine music: Byzantine music was the music of the Byzantine Empire, and it developed its own unique style of chant.
* Indian music: Indian music has a long and rich history, with a wide range of genres and styles.
* Chinese music: Chinese music is also very old and diverse, with many different instruments and styles.
Medieval music (500-1400 CE)
* Plainchant: Plainchant was the vocal music of the Christian church, and it was based on a system of eight modes.
* Polyphony: Polyphony is the simultaneous sounding of two or more voices, and it began to develop in the 9th century.
* Ars nova: Ars nova was a style of music that developed in the 14th century, and it was characterized by its use of complex rhythms and harmonies.
Renaissance music (1400-1600 CE)
* Frottola: The frottola was a type of Italian secular song that was popular in the 15th century.
* Madrigal: The madrigal was a type of Italian vocal music that was popular in the 16th century.
* Chanson: The chanson was a type of French secular song that was popular in the 15th and 16th centuries.
* Lied: The lied was a type of German secular song that was popular in the 16th century.
Baroque music (1600-1750 CE)
* Opera: Opera is a dramatic work that combines music, drama, and dance. It originated in Italy in the 16th century, and it became popular throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.
* Oratorio: An oratorio is a large-scale choral work that tells a religious story. It originated in Italy in the 17th century, and it became popular throughout Europe in the 18th century.
* Cantata: A cantata is a shorter choral work that tells a religious or secular story. It originated in Italy in the 17th century, and it became popular throughout Europe in the 18th century.
* Instrumental music: Instrumental music became increasingly important in the Baroque period, and a wide range of instruments were used, including the violin, the viola, the cello, the double bass, the harpsichord, and the organ.
Classical music (1750-1820 CE)
* Symphony: The symphony is a large-scale orchestral work that typically consists of four movements. It was developed in the 18th century, and it became one of the most popular forms of classical music.
* Concerto: A concerto is a work for a soloist and an orchestra. It was also developed in the 18th century, and it became another popular form of classical music.
* Sonata: A sonata is a work for a single instrument, or for a small ensemble of instruments. It was developed in the 17th century, and it became a popular form of classical music.
Romantic music (1820-1900 CE)
* Romantic nationalism: Romantic nationalism was a movement in music that emphasized the importance of national identity and culture. It led to the development of many new national styles of music, such as the Russian Five and the Czech Six.
* Program music: Program music is music that tells a story or evokes a specific image or feeling. It was popularized by composers such as Hector Berlioz and Franz Liszt.
* Opera: Opera continued to be a popular form of music in the Romantic period, and many great operas were written by composers such as Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner, and Giacomo Puccini.
Modern music (1900-present)
* Impressionism: Impressionism is a style of music that is characterized by its use of unconventional harmonies, colors, and textures. It was developed by composers such as Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.
* Expressionism: Expressionism is a style of music that is characterized by its emphasis on emotional expression. It was developed by composers such as Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg.
* Neoclassicism: Neoclassicism is a style of music that is based on the music of the Classical period. It was developed by composers such as Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev.
* Minimalism: Minimalism is a style of music that is characterized by its use of simple, repetitive patterns. It was developed by composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass.
* Postmodernism: Postmodernism is a style of music that is characterized by its eclectic use of different styles and genres. It was developed by composers such as John Cage and György Ligeti.