First hand information on ancient Armenian music and musicians has been received from those fragments of folk music, which still preserve in them traces of the folk music of the distant past. The makers of that music were the Kousans (professional folk-singers and performers), Vibasans (writers of epic poetry), Tsaynargou (women mourners and singers), and Vartsags (womensingers and dancers). Their songs were usually pastoral, mournful, liturgical, hymnal, and epic in character. The instruments used were harps, lutes, oboes, and percussions, all of which indicated a greater refinement of the art of music. The music of the Kousans was monophonic, characterized by a strong sense of melody and rhythm.

The Spiritual Maturity of Armenian Music (1st Century-8th Century) at this time was of two types--- spiritual and secular. Wisdom, literature, religious literature, tales, love lyrics, and epic poetry were but a few more of the genres used by musicians. The harp or lyre was a favorite accompaniment to the singing. Secular music was preferred in the palaces and by the aristocratic classes.

The eight century marked the beginning of a new era of Armenian literature, with Stephen of Sunik as the leading figure. The compilation of hymns and ecclesiastical chants was made possible by him. This work came to be known as the Sharagnots (Book of Hymns). To Stephen of Sunik is also attributed the development of a notation system (neumes), which, at the present, still remains undecipherable.

Earlier in Armenian history, instruments like the kamancha were played by popular, travelling musicians called ashoughs. Sayat Nova Sayat-Nova (1712-1795), or 'King of Songs' is the name given to Haroutiun Sayakian , the greatest Armenian musician. He grew up in a village near Tbilisi, Georgia, and was skilled in writing poetry, singing and playing the kemenche.

Komitas Vartabed, a.k.a. Soghomon Soghomonyan, is the representative of Armenian musical art, one of its most distinguished figures. His work included a variety of activities: he was a composer, ethnographer, folklorist and musicologist.

The Armenian Genocide of 1915 oppressed Armenian culture, leading to widespread emigration. These emigrants settled in various countries, especially in Central California, and the second- and third-generation have kept their folk traditions alive, with oud-player Richard Hagopian being perhaps the most famous of these musicians.