The writer feels a study of this kind is valuable as a means of achieving an accurate understanding of the history of artistic practice. This understanding in turn enables the student to evaluate ·and compare styles and periods in an intelligent and logical manner. The temporal scope of this paper prohibits an exhaustive examination of each period in music history. There are many excellent studies available to the student which cover the individual periods in a detailed and comprehensive manner. It is the particular hope of the author that this study will broaden the cultural outlook of the music student and create a desire to further richen his knowledge and understanding of music and its relationship to esthetic philosophy and the other fine arts.