What was music like before the Renaissance?

Before the Renaissance, music primarily consisted of Gregorian chant and other forms of plainchant, characterized by monophonic texture and free rhythm. This sacred music was predominantly vocal and used in religious settings, with an emphasis on liturgical texts. Instruments were less common, and when used, they often accompanied vocal music rather than leading it. The development of polyphony and greater harmonic complexity marked a significant shift in music with the onset of the Renaissance.