As one of the most crucial aspects of human civilization, music provides an outlet for creativity and a reflection of the times. It not only has the capacity to influence our cultures, thoughts, and actions, but it also shapes society. We are constantly bombarded by sounds every day, sounds that musicians are able to organize and put in motion. But how do humans make sounds into music? That takes us on a journey through a history textbook all the way back to the start of mankind.
There is no doubt that music is as old as humankind. It may have started with cavemen hitting different-sized logs, and it eventually evolved into the music we know today. “Hurrian Hymn No. 6”, is one of the earliest pieces of evidence of composition, dating back to the 14th century B.C. This piece of music was written on a clay tablet, depicting lyre string tunings, and lyrics (like a modern-day guitar tab). Obviously, their musical notation looked very different from how we write music today. Other indications of music have appeared in engraved marble columns and decorated tombs.