Discuss the evolution of musical notation throughout the Medieval period. This essay includes reference to the Medieval composer Hildegard von Bingen.

Before 1450, there was little form of musical notation, instead word-of-mouth transmission of information was what was used, and this was far from reliable. The most common form of music performed was the praising of the Lord by monks in a monastery by means of chant. It was at this point, when music was becoming more of an art form than a means of entertainment, that a form of notation was deemed necessary. European composers were …

…can see, the needs of evolving music dictated for the large part the evolution of musical notation. This led to a wider acceptance of music as an educated art rather than a simple form of entertainment and encouraged worldwide publishing of music. The works of many famous composers ranging from the Medieval period through to post-modern music may not have been heard if it wasn't for the innovation of vocalists and instrumentalists before the 1500s.