Medieval (pre 1500)

* Very simple musical structures
* Very little music was written down
* Most music was performed by troubadors
* Mostly monophonic
* Simple rhythms based on speech

Renaissance (1500-1650)

* Contrapuntal music was introduced
* Lots of imitation
* Use of modes
* Mainly polyphonic
* Usually performed by instruments of the same family

Baroque (1650-1750)

* Full of ornaments and decoration
* Use of antiphonal effects
* Use of terraced dynamics
* Often accompanied by a harpsichord
* The birth period of the modern orchestra

Classical (1750-1810)

* Music in regular length phrases
* Harmony concentrates around the tonic and dominant
* Famous composers include Mozart, Beethoven and Hadyn
* Genres of the period include symphony, concerto, string quartet and opera

Romantic (1810-1900)

* More instruments used and larger orchestra
* Variety in harmonics including dischords
* Some music used to tell stories or create emotions
* Famous composers include Tchaicovsky, Shubert and Verdi
* Contrasts in dynamics, instruments, and pitch

Modern (1900-present)

* Complete dissolution of harmony
* The combinations of instruments became more varied
* Composers became more aware of their national heritage
* Composers include Elgar, Schönenberg and Stravinsky