While musical life in Europe was undoubtedly rich in the prime 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. A Few schools of liturgical polyphony flourished beginning in the 12th century. Alongside these traditions of sacred music, a vibrant tradition of secular carol developed, exemplified by the music of the troubadours, trouvères and Minnesänger.
In some musical genres, such as jazz and blues, even deeper freedom is given to the performer to engage in improvisation on a basic melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic framework