- Vocal Music: Singing, chanting, and humming melodies without instruments.
- Percussion Instruments: Drums, clappers, rattles, and other objects used for rhythmic accompaniment.
Medieval Period:
- Religious Music: Gregorian chant, polyphonic compositions, and organ music in churches.
- Troubadours and Trouveres: Musicians and poets who performed secular music in courts and towns.
Renaissance Period:
- Madrigals: Polyphonic vocal music with secular texts.
- Instrumental Music: Lutes, viols, recorders, and other instruments used for chamber music.
Baroque Period:
- Opera: Elaborate musical dramas with singing, acting, and orchestral accompaniment.
- Instrumental Music: Concertos, sonatas, and suites for various instruments.
Classical Period:
- Symphony: Multi-movement orchestral works with distinct sections and themes.
- String Quartets: Chamber music for four stringed instruments (two violins, viola, and cello).
- Piano Music: Sonatas, concertos, and other compositions for the pianoforte.
Romantic Period:
- Art Songs: Solo vocal music with piano accompaniment, expressing personal emotions and narratives.
- Programmatic Music: Orchestral works inspired by literature, paintings, or historical events.
- Opera: Grand operas with dramatic stories, elaborate sets, and colorful orchestration.
20th Century and Beyond:
- Jazz: Improvised music with African American roots, incorporating syncopated rhythms and unique harmonies.
- Blues: Vocal and instrumental music characterized by sorrowful lyrics and the "blue note."
- Rock and Pop Music: Electric guitar-driven music, often with catchy melodies and lyrics about love, rebellion, and social commentary.
- Electronic Music: Music created using electronic instruments, synthesizers, and computers.