This is a conceptual framework to understanding the changes in style throughout European musical history. To be of any particular use to you you will need to fill in the framework with the details from your own musical experience. I have tried to assist you by including films from YouTube.
The concept is that music falls into styles, and these styles have a beginning, a middle and an end. The end may trail off for centuries, but a style is at its end when it no longer continues to evolve and is replaced by newer styles.
The styles fall into only somewhat arbitrary chronological periods. I don't take credit for inventing the style periods--that goes to Dr. Hans Tischler. I only take credit for the actual words--most of them anyway. The chapters through Beethoven are based in part on notes from Dr. Tischler's classes.
Because it was written thirty years ago, a chapter is missing, and I find that I am too old and lazy to write it. Some of the musical examples are not coming over. I will try to fix later. Contents are covered by copyright. Click on the November arrow to see an index.
