How the invention of the printing press in the Renaissance Period changed the opportunities for Musicians during this Period

Impact of the Printing Press on Renaissance Music

Renaissance was a period from about 1300 to 1700 and was characterized by among other things, the development of the printing press. Johannes Gutenberg is perhaps the most famous figure in Renaissance printing (Cartwright, 2020). His innovation enabled composers to publish their works. Musicians took advantage of the printing press to make sheet music and thus expand their reach. From 1501, music in the renaissance saw remarkable changes exemplified by the first printing of the polyphonic Harmonice Musices Odhecaton by Ottaviano Petrucci. Petrucci revolutionized music composition by printing works developed earlier by artists like Josquin des Prez (Arkenberg, 2002). 

When Petrucci popularized music printing, he increased the supply of music books to the common people. Previously, such books belonged to institutions like churches and guilds (Arkenberg, 2002). The printing press made music books cheaper and more affordable for common people. Moreover, printing made music composition a trade (Arkenberg, 2002). Composers could now publish their works and sell them to interested buyers. Written music sheets became tools for the preservation of culture for future generations.  However, this innovation came with its problems. Oral traditionalists felt that music printing compromised culture and often conflicted with those advocating for the new form of composition (Cartwright, 2020).