The document discusses the history of Western music from the Medieval to Renaissance periods. It provides background on the 6 main periods of music history, with a focus on the Medieval era from 800-1300 CE and the Renaissance from 1450-1600. During the Medieval period, music was mainly composed for the church and vocal music was more important than instrumental. Gregorian chant and polyphony were popular musical forms. The Renaissance saw the beginning of musical notation and a shift to an emphasis on individualism and symbolism over realism.