The following might help determing the factors which determine the intention / style / content of any piece of music in any place

• Patronage / employment / funding
• Development of performing skills
• Development of printing
• Musical instrument technology
• Demands of religion
• Demands of education
• Demands of dance
• Inherited / 'taught' styles (from older teachers)
• Political / social influences
• Geographic / ethnic styles
• Public / private tastes (especially media promoted)
• Responses to literature
• Demands of propaganda / advertising
• Age - of audience / performer / composer
• Gender - of audience / performer / composer
• Types of performance venue (including outdoors)

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