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In the Medieval era, music evolved from a predominantly 'monophonic' sound—characterized by a single melodic line—to an exploration of 'polyphony,' where multiple independent melodies are sung or played simultaneously. While vocal music dominated this period, instrumental music was gradually gaining acceptance, laying the groundwork for the Renaissance's celebrated instrumental practices.
The development of musical notation during this period created challenges for preserving the rhythmic and harmonic details of compositions. Much of the music was learned aurally, contributing to variations as it was passed through generations. The introduction of modality presented musicians with a new, expressive harmonic framework, leading composers to explore diverse melodic and rhythmic possibilities.