Classical music in its widest sense refers to music composed in a classical tradition and intended as serious art, especially as distinguished from popular or folk music. The term is generally used to "canonize" a musical tradition dating to a period which is the "golden age" of music for a particular culture. Music derived from that "classical tradition" is what is then termed that culture's variety of classical music. The following table lists classical music styles from throughout the world listing the style and the period in history when the classical tradition of the particular style of music was developed:
| Style (ordered by culture) | Historical period when classical musical tradition was developed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Afghan classical music (Klasik) | uncertain | |
| Andalusian classical music | Caliph of Córdoba | |
| Azerbaijani classical music (Mugham) | uncertain | |
| Cambodian classical music | Khmer Empire | |
| Chinese classical music | Zhou Dynasty | |
| European Classical Music | Renaissance to Early modern Europe | This is the European tradition of music developed during early modern Europe which is associated with high culture (including works in this tradition in non-European countries). This style of classical music is commonly referred to as simply "classical music" in the English language. |
| Indian classical music | Vedic period | Within Indian classical music, there are two distinct traditions, Hindustani and Carnatic. Both forms date to the Vedic period. |
| Indonesian classical music (Gamelan) | uncertain | |
| Iranian classical music | Elamnite dynasties | |
| Japanese classical music (Gagaku) | Heian period | |
| Korean classical music | Joseon Dynasty | |
| Laotian classical music | Khmer Empire | |
| Mandé classical music (Griot) | Mali Empire | The classical tradition of the jeliw |
| Ottoman classical music | Ottoman Empire | |
| Philippine classical music | Late Spanish Colonial Period | |
| Thai classical music | Khmer Empire |
