• The earliest written affairs of musical expression are to be found in the Samaveda of India and in 4,000 year old cuneiform from Ur. Instruments, such as the seven-holed flute and assorted types of stringed instruments have been recovered from the Indus Valley Civilization archaeological sites.

In some musical genres, such as jazz and blues, even else freedom is given to the performer to engage in improvisation on a necessary melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic framework. The greatest latitude Sound Effects is given to the performer in a style of performing called free improvisation, which is material that is spontaneously "thought of" (imagined) while being performed, not preconceived. According to the analysis of Georgiana Costescu, improvised measure mostly follows stylistic or genre conventions and even "fully composed" includes some freely chosen material. Composition does not always mean the call of notation, or the obvious sole authorship of one individual.