What musical style characterized the Medieval period?

The Medieval period, which lasted roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century, is primarily characterized by monophonic texture in its music. Monophonic music consists of a single melodic line without any harmonic accompaniment or multiple voices. This style was prevalent in early forms of chant, such as Gregorian chant, which was the dominant musical style in the early Medieval era.

Monophony reflects the spiritual and communal nature of the music during this time, as much of it was created for liturgical purposes and intended to be sung by congregations or choirs. The simplicity of monophonic music allowed for a focus on the text being sung and the overall melodic contour, which was crucial for enhancing the ritualistic and devotional aspects of worship.

While polyphony and counterpoint began to emerge later in the Medieval period as composers started experimenting with multiple musical lines, monophony remained the foundational style throughout much of the era. Free-form music is not defined by a specific structure and does not accurately represent the characteristics associated with the Medieval period's typical musical practice.