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2000 BCE
Xylophone
The xylophone is a percussion instrument played with wooden bars struck by mallets. Each bar plays a different note. It originates from Southeast Asia all the way back in 2000 BC Wikipedia -
2000 BCE
Cymbals
The cymbals are percussion that are two discs you hold and hit together, but can also be found on drum sets. They originate from Asia/Iran, 2000 BC Wikipedia -
1500 BCE
Trumpet
The trumpet is a brass instrument that can make different notes/sounds with the help of finger buttons and valves. It originated all the way back in 1500 BC, Egypt. Wikipedia -
900 BCE
Flute
The flute is a wind instrument that could sound low and soft, or high and piercing. Some records of the flute date all the way back to 900 BC, originating in China. The Instrument Place -
500 BCE
Maracas
The maracas are an interesting percussion instrument, making sound by rattling. They are filled with a variety of materials. They date back to 500 BC in Central Chile Master Class -
1439
Trombone
The trombone is a brass instrument that not only includes the mechanic of valves but also a slide tube. It originated in 1439, Italy. Trombone History -
Cello
The Cello is a string instrument, similar to the violin in the way it can be played. However, it is much larger than the violin. It rests on the floor instead of your chin and shoulder. The cello also originates from Italy, 16th century. Britannica -
Violin
The violin is a string instrument well known from classical music. It has 4 strings and is played with a bow or plucking the strings. It originated from Northern Italy around the 16th century Wikipedia -
Period: to
Baroque
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Bassoon
The bassoon is a wind instrument that can sound even lower than a clarinet. Even a bass clarinet. The bassoon has dated back to 1936, originating in France. Britannica -
Period: to
Arcangelo Corelli
Corelli is an Italian composer and violinist with 6 published collections of concertos, sonatas, and more, He influenced violin technique after instructing well known Composers Major Baroque Composers -
Period: to
Antonio Vivaldi
Vivaldi was an Italian composer, well known for The Four Seasons and many Concertos. He made great developments in orchestration. Wikipedia -
Clarinet
The clarinet is a wind instrument that has a similar sound to the flute but lower. It originated in Germany around 1690. History of the Clarinet -
Period: to
Johann Sebastian Bach
Bach was a German composer with notable works such as Toccata and Fugue in D minor, the Brandenburg Concertos, and more. He influences music by expanding on polyphonic and German styles. Wikipedia -
Period: to
George Fredrick Handel
Handel was a German-British composer well known for his operas such as Almira and Nero. He made himself memorable by creating new and exciting English oratorios. Major Baroque Composers -
Opera
Opera is a style popularized in the Baroque period. They often use Italian singing and a lot of vibrato. Composers such as George Fridrick Handel are well known for their operas. Wikipedia -
Piano
The piano, although tuned with strings, is a percussion instrument known from classical music and more. It originated in Italy during the 1700's Yamaha -
Banjo
The banjo is a string instrument that can vary in its number of strings. It is most often thought of in the genres of folk/country. It originates from the Carribean/North America, around the 17th century. Wikipedia -
Concerto grosso
Concerto grosso is a style that developed during the Baroque period. Instead of a solo of a single instrument, multiple instruments are playing together. The first composer to use the term was Arcangelo Corelli. Wikipedia -
Cantata
Cantata is a style popularized in the Baroque period. It was a style of singing that would have multiple vocals on top of each other, contrasting the style Sonata. Wikipedia -
Spring (Laprimavera) Op.9
This solo concerto by Antonio Vivaldi was released with Vivaldi's 4 seasons in 1723. Spotify -
Concerto grosso no.8
This concerto grosso by Arcangelo Corelli was released in 1719 as apart of Corelli's Christmas Concerto. Spotify -
Period: to
Joseph Haydn
Hayden was an Austrian composer known for works like Symphony No. 92, he established forms and styles for symphonies like so, as well as the string quartet. Britannica -
Period: to
Gioachino Rossini
Rossini was an Italian composer who not only made chamber music and piano pieces, but but 39 operas.He challenged the format of operas with his unusual rhythms and finales. English National Opera -
Period: to
Classical
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Period: to
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart was an Austrian composer who died at only 35, however he still managed to make over 800 works and symphonies. His influence has students still studying his work to this day Wikipedia -
Solo Concerto
Solo Concerto is a style that became popular in the Classical period. They would have a solo instrument playing the melody, while an orchestra accompanied them. Composers well known for these were Vivaldi, Beethoven, and Haydn. Wikipedia -
Period: to
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Beethoven is a German composer and pianist. He is known for pieces such as Fur Elise. His use of modulation and texture set him apart from the others. Wikipedia -
Guitar
The guitar is a string instrument with six strings, originating from Spain around 1779. Britannica -
Symphony no.40
This symphony by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was written and released in 1788. -
Nocturne
Nocturne is a style popularized in the Romantic period, pieces characterized and inspired by the night. A composer most notable for Nocturnes is Fredrick Chopin. -
French horn
The French horn is a brass instrument played with small levers. It looks similar to the trombone and trumpet but they are all played in different ways. Originated from France/Germany, in the 1800's French Horn History -
Harmonica
The harmonica is a wind instrument used in many genres such as country or blues. It dates all the way back to 18th century China. Yonberg -
Sonata
Sonata is a style that gained popularity in the Classical period. Sonatas are the opposite of Cantatas, meaning there is only music like solos. Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart all wrote sonatas. Wikipedia -
Symphony
Symphonies are a style that gained popularity in the Classical period. They have multiple instruments playing at the same time. Musicians well known for their symphonies are Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms. Wikipedia -
Period: to
Romantic
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Piano Sonata no.14 (Moonlight Sonata)
This sonata by Beethoven was written and released in 1802 -
Period: to
Fredrick Chopin
Chopin was a polish composer and pianist with notable works like Frantaisie in F Minor but primarily wrote solo piano. His status made him a leading symbol of the romantic period. Wikipedia -
Period: to
Richard Wagner
Wagner was a German composer known for his 4 opera cycle "Der Ring Des Nibelungen. His music was complex in texture, and his musical advancements influenced and developed classical music. Wikipedia -
Tuba
The tuba is one of the bigger brass instruments ranging from 12 to 18 feet uncoiled. It originates from Germany, 1835 Yamaha -
Nocturne Op.9 No.2
This Nocturne by Frederic Copin was released in 1832. -
String Quartet No. 14 (Death and The Maiden)
This lied by Franz Schubert was released in 1831. Spotify -
Period: to
Johannes Brahms
Brahms is a German composer known for his symphonies, violin concertos, and more. Many others were inspired by his music and his pieces still remain a staple of concerto repertoire. Wikipedia -
Saxophone
The saxophone is a brass instrument used in both jazz and classical music, also originating in France/Germany. Although, much later in the 1840's Wikipedia -
Ocarina
The ocarina is a lesser known woodwind with many variations. The instrument dates back to 1853 Europe. Wikipedia -
Period: to
Claude de Bussy
de Bussy was a french composer well known for his Nocturnes and pieces such as Claire de Lune. He opened a world of possibilities in music as he explored scales and what music means. Wikipedia -
Ukulele
The ukulele is a string instrument with 4 strings. Like many string instruments, you can pluck or strum it to play. The origin of it is Hawaii/Portugal around 1879. Music Center -
Etude
Etude is a style that became popular in the Romantic period. They were often short, and made to perfect musical skill. Composers like Chopin and Debussy were well known for Etudes. Wikipedia -
Bongos
The bongos are a percussion instrument with a pair of small drums, sometimes in two different sizes. They date back to the 19th century in Eastern Cuba Wikipedia -
Lied
Lied is a style popularized in the Romantic period. A lied is a vocal piece accompanied by a piano. Composers such as Brahms are well known for lieds. -
Period: to
20-21st Century
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Jazz
Jazz is a style that gained popularity in the 20th century, characterized by swing and blue notes. People like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong are all notable figures in Jazz. Wikipedia -
Folk
Folk is a style that gained popularity in the 20th century, characterized by tradition and generations. People like Bob Dylan, Haley Heynderickx, and Bon Iver are all musicians in the folk genre. Wikipedia -
Rock
Rock is a style that gained popularity in the 20th century that drew from many genres. Characterized by it's use of electric guitar; Queen, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles are all notable figures in Rock. Wikipedia -
What a Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong released this jazz song in 1967. Spotify -
ABBA
ABBA is a Swedish Pop group known for songs such as Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, and more. They released their debut album "Ring Ring" in 1973. Wikipedia -
Killer Queen
This rock song by Queen was first released in 1974, but was then remastered in 2011. Spotify -
Haley Heynderickx
Heynderickx is a Folk artist from Portland, Oregon. In 2018 she released her debut album "I Need To Start A Garden" Wikipedia -
Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe Bridgers is an indie artist with songs such as Waiting Room, Scott Street, and more. She released her debut album "Stranger In The Alps" in 2017, and was formerly part of a band called Boy Genius. Wikipedia -
Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan is a relatively new pop artist. Taking inspiration from 1980's and 2000's pop, her debut album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" was released in 2023. Wikipedia -
The Bug Collector
Haley Heynderickx wrote this folk song in 2018. It features her calm yet emotional vocals and her guitar. Spotify