Early Spanish music was influenced by the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church. There were elements brought by traveling Germanic tribes and the Moors as well.
Musical notation, called the Visigothic neumes, was developed in the 700s and seems to have been used in Christian church chants. These chants were not codified the way Gregorian chants were during the time of Charlemagne. Music from the Roman Catholic Church was used almost exclusively during the Reconquista. Local worship music was banned.
Popular Spanish music of the day was heavily influenced by the Moors and other Islamic sources. The Codex Calixtinus and Libre Vermell de Montserrat were medieval music sources written and used in Spain.
Mateo Fletcha el Viejo and Juan del Encina are considered two of the primary Spanish composers of the Renaissance. Antonio de Cabazon was a master of the organ during that time period and left behind some beautiful keyboard compositions. During the 1500s, polyphonic vocal music became popular in Spain as in other parts of Europe.
Under the reign of Charles, King of Spain from 1516 to 1556, musicians traveled all over Europe, trading musical ideas throughout the empire. Gaspar Sanz developed the first guitar method during this time. Famous Spanish composers of the day include Guerrero, Cristobal de Morales and Tomas Luis de Victoria.
There was not much classical music coming from Spain again until the 1800s. At that time, Spanish music was under the influence of Italian composers such as Boccherini and Scarlatti. Guitar music became popular during the 1800s in Spain. Aguado, Tarrega, and Llobet became famous guitar composers. Sarasate wrote beautiful pieces for the violin during the same time period.
A form of light opera called zarzuela became popular in Spain during this period. Secular and popular music flourished during Spanish nationalism in the Romantic period. Albeniz, Turina, de Falla and Rodrigo are just a few famous Spanish composers who wrote during this time.
Flamenco is a traditional Spanish music and dance form using the guitar. Cadiz and Triana are two composers who wrote in the Flamenco style. Flamenco stemmed from social outcasts in Spain who congregated in Andelusia. Although popular among tourists and in movies, Flamenco has not been studied seriously by musicologists until recently.
Aragon is known for music that contains castanets, tambourines, guitars and sometimes the flute. The music is influenced by North Africa music. Galacian music features the bagpipe and chants. It often features Celtic music and circle dances. Basque folk music uses accordion and tambourine. A txistu, similar to a recorder, is often featured. Many choirs perform, which preserve the Basque language. Ritual and folk dances are also performed for the enjoyment of all.
Castille, Madrid and Leon are the areas where the fandango originated. This region has been a melting pot for many different musical influences. The area has a strong tradition of dance music. Madrid is famous for chotis music, similar to the schottische dance. Catalan gypsies created a popular style of the rumba. It is sometimes called a "fake" flamenco due to the movements. Valencia is famous for its brass bands. Jota and stick dances are often performed.
Spanish musical celebrities include Julio Iglesias, Placido Domingo and Alejandro Sanz. Current Spanish artists play in every known venue.