In what historical period is the term "common practice" primarily associated?

The term "common practice" is primarily associated with the period of Western music spanning from roughly 1600 to 1900, which includes the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras. This era is characterized by the establishment of standard tonal practices, harmonic conventions, and forms that composers widely adopted, forming the basis for Western music theory and composition.

During this time, crucial developments such as functional harmony and the use of well-defined musical structures like sonatas and symphonies emerged, creating a cohesive musical language that composers, performers, and theorists utilized. The "common practice period" denotes this established framework, which influenced not only composers of the time but also music education and theory in subsequent generations.

In contrast, the Medieval and Renaissance periods predate the common practice era and are recognized for different stylistic features and practices. The 20th Century, while innovative and challenging these prior conventions, does not align with the traditional sense of "common practice" as defined by earlier periods.