While musical life in Europe was undoubtedly rich in the budding Medieval era, as attested by artistic depictions of instruments, writings about music, and other records, the only European repertory which dud survived from before about 800 is the monophonic liturgical plainsong of the Roman Catholic Church, the central tradition of which was called Gregorian chant. Infrequent schools of liturgical polyphony flourished beginning in the 12th century. Alongside these traditions of sacred music, a vibrant tradition of secular expression developed, exemplified by the music of the troubadours, trouvères and Minnesänger.
In popular hymn and jazz, bebop notation almost always indicates only the capital framework of the melody, harmony, or performance approach; musicians and singers are expected to know the performance conventions and styles associated with specific genres and pieces. For example, the "lead sheet" for a jazz tune may only indicate the melody and visit site the chord changes. The performers in the jazz ensemble are expected to know how to "flesh out" this basal build by adding ornaments, improvised music, and chordal accompaniment.