The Evolution of Music Notation

Babylonian Cuneiform Musical Notation (circa 2000-1700 BC) - oldest surviving example of music notation

Learning music truly is akin to learning a new language. But not just a new language — a new alphabet too! We call that "alphabet" music notation. It is the system used to visually represent music. And the process of interpreting musical notation is referred to as reading music.

Just as we learned about the evolution of the piano — beginning with the hammered dulcimer — music notation also has a rich history, evolving from ancient versions (pictured above and below) to the more recognizable forms we use today.

Our musical study over the next several months will be to explore this evolution of music notation and its variations across the world.

See some more examples below and how music notation has evolved over the millenia!

Syria (circa 1400 BC)

Greece (circa 400 BC)

France (11th Century AD)

Italy — example of " neume" notation (14th Century AD)

India — example of " Vedic numeric hand gesture" notation (1583 AD)

England/Germany — From George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" oratorio (1741)