Origin of music

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The question of the origin of music can be raised on manifold levels. It may involve biological, evolutionary, historical, artistic, or spiritual aspects. The following article focuses on the biology and evolution of music. It covers questions such as where, when, and why music evolved in both humans and the animal kingdom.

Comparative biology of music: in which species did music evolve?

Although the production of music is considered uniquely human in toto, musical utterances of various degrees of complexity and perfection can be observed in several species in the animal kingdom. Acoustical utterances of comparatively low complexity that are innate and serve functions such as signalling danger to conspecifics are usually excluded from investigation of musical behaviours in animals. The remaining musical expressions are divided into two groups: vocal music or “songs” (complex, learned vocalizations) and instrumental music (structured, communicative sound using parts of the body and sometimes additional objects).