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500
Medieval Times Begin
Music was monophonic, a style called Gregorian chant, where there was no accompaniment. This music, also called plainsong, was sung at church. -
Period: 500 to Jan 1, 1400
Medieval Times
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Jan 1, 1400
Renaissance Era Begins
Music in the renaissance era was mostly for entertainment purposes. Traveling musicians called troubadours played on city streets and other crowded village areas. One of the most popular instruments during the renaissance era was the harpsichord. -
Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
Renaissance Era
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Baroque Period Begins
During the baroque period, some of the most popular musicians were Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. The demand for music was much greater in the Baroque period which brought the introduction of concerts. Other than instrumental music, the baroque period was full of opera, cantata, and oratorio music. -
Period: to
Baroque Period
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Classical Era Begins
A few memorable classical musicians are Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Joseph Haydn. Classical music had many rules and was very strict. The music of this era was made specifically for listening and it was not supposed to make the listener think too much. Orchestral music was extremely big during this period and so concerts were widely enjoyed. -
Period: to
Classical Era
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Romantic Era Begins
Ludwig von Beethoven was a crucial part in the transition from the classical era to the romantic era. Music in this era was completely different from that in the classical period. Lots of emotion was put into music and each song told a story. This method of having the music represent an idea was called Program music. This type of music was dream-like. -
Period: to
Romantic Era
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The Impressionist Era Begins
Impressionist music and art were very indiscriminate and composers tried to avoid typical chord progressions. Claude Debussy was a popular musician in the impressionist era. The artwork during this period was also impressionist and Claude Monet was one a famous painter in this era. -
Period: to
Impressionist Era
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The 1910's Begin
Jazz had begun to make a rise in popularity during the 1910s. The Original Dixieland Jazz Band was a very well recieved group in the 30s. One of their biggest hits was Tiger Rag. -
Period: to
The 1910's
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The Roaring 20's Begin
In the 1920s jazz and ragtime music were all the rage. Broadway's prime years were in the 1920s and about 50 new shows opened. Popular songs in the 20s were Ain't Misbehavin' and My Blue Heaven. -
Period: to
The Roaring 20's
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Hollywood's Golden Age Begins
Big band jazz was very popular in the 30s. Swing dancing went very well with big band jazz. Memorable artists in the 30s were Bing Crosby, Shirley Temple, and Billie Holiday. -
Period: to
Hollywood's Golden Age
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The Flying 40's Begin
Jazz was still extremely popular in the 1940s. Singers like Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong are just a few of the household names in the 40s. Some songs in the 1940s were censored on the radio and that angered many people who decided to boycott. -
Period: to
The Flying 40's
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The Fabulous 50's Begin
The 50s were a time of change in the music industry. While jazz was still popular, a new form of music was taking over the U.S. Rock'n'roll was becoming all the rage. Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry were some of the biggest stars during the 50s. -
Period: to
The Fabulous 50's
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The Swinging 60's Begin
Pop music started to become popular in the 60s and it was out with the old and in with the new. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were a few of the bands that were part of the British Invasion. -
Period: to
The Swinging 60's
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The Groovy 70's Begin
The 70s were called the Me Decade because it was all about having fun and doing what you want to do. Music in the 70s had more variety than any other era before it. Listeners could choose from several genres and artists. Queen was a very popular band in the 70s and many of their songs are known today. -
Period: to
The Groovy 70's
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The 80's
Rock music started to be more popular than the funky music of the 70s. Pop music was also in with stars like Madonna and Michael Jackson gaining lots of popularity. Hip hop became widely popular as well during this time. -
Period: to
The 80's
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Generation Z Begins
Gen Z or the 90s were a time for grunge fashion and a wide variety in music. An introduction to a new genre, electronic music or house music, brought about new instruments and artists. Hip hop became big in this decade with artists such as MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice. -
Period: to
Generation Z
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The 21st Century Begins
Music in the early 2000s also had a large variety. There was pop, rock, hip hop, house music, punk, and more. Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani were becoming very popular pop artists. Boy bands began to surface in the 90s and continued to grow popular in the early 2000s. -
Period: to
The Beginning of the 21st Century
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Period: to
Music of Today
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Music of Today
Music today has an even bigger variety. You can choose from several different genres of music. Some of the most popular artists and groups are Taylor Swift, Adele, Beyonce, Drake, Justin Bieber, DNCE, and so much more. With music streaming apps and websites, listening to music is easier than ever before!
