The history of musical instruments dates to the beginnings of human culture. Early musical instruments may have been used for ritual, such as a trumpet to signal success on the hunt or a drum in a religious ceremony. Cultures eventually developed the composition and performance of melodies for entertainment. Musical instruments evolved in step with changing applications.
Musical instruments developed independently in many populated regions of the world. However, contact among civilisations caused rapid spread and adaptation of most instruments in places far from their origin.