In this work the author guides the reader through five developments in the history of western music; starting with the invention of notation by an 11th century Italian monk, taking in the invention of equal temperament (the gaps between notes), the invention of the piano and that of opera and ending with the story of the first recording made in history - Mary Had a Little Lamb by Thomas Edison. The author aims to make these complicated musical advances both clear to the layman and interesting, as well as offering a sense of culture of trial and error and competition, be it in 11th century Italy or 19th century America, in which all progress takes place.