As with other great civilisations throughout time, music formed an important part of Egyptian life, and musicians occupied a variety of positions in Egyptian society. Music found its way into many contexts in Egypt: temples, palaces, workshops, farms, battlefields and the tomb. Music was an integral part of religious worship in ancient Egypt, so it is not surprising that there were gods specifically associated with music, such as Hathor and Bes (both were also associated with dance, fertility and childbirth).

Ihy was the god who presided over music. Plutarch credits Thoth, also known as Hermes, with having been the one who invented music. In one papyrus remnant, Osiris was named the "fair sistrum player".

Professional musicians existed on a number of social levels in ancient Egypt. Perhaps the highest status belonged to temple musicians; the office of "musician" (shemayet) to a particular god or goddess was a position of high status frequently held by women. Musicians connected with the royal household were held in high esteem, as were certain gifted singers and harp players. Somewhat lower on the social scale were musicians who acted as entertainers for parties and festivals, frequently accompanied by dancers. Informal singing is suggested by scenes of workers in action; captions to many of these pictures have been interpreted as words of songs. Otherwise there is little evidence for the amateur musician in pharaonic Egypt, and it is unlikely that musical achievement was seen as a desirable goal for individuals who were not professionals.

In the Old Kingdom there is evidence of the beginnings of music in Egypt. The three instruments that appear most prominently in pictures are pipes resembling the clarinet, end-blown flutes, and also the harp. The hieroglyphics also indicate the presence of singers and dancers. References made to Egyptian musicians at this time is fairly scanty, but one mentioned is Chufu' Ankh, who was a singer, and flutist, and a director of court music. In the Middle Kingdom period we see some advancements in music with a wider range of instruments on offer and there is evidence that melodies are getting more complicated. In the New Kingdom improvements and additions continue. Music is used for liturgical songs, and there is also evidence of different types of singing such as responsorial. Again new instruments appear on the scene. One picture during this time period indicates that there were certain rooms of the royal palace at El-Amarna that were devoted to music. There is also a dance scene that depicts ten girls, some who have tambourines, and others who have clappers or castenets. Trumpets are often depicted in military scenes. After the Conquest of Alexander the Great, the Greeks adopted some aspects of Egyptian music. Egypt's music later was greatly influenced by the Arab tradition.

Although most of these instruments can be seen throughout all periods in Egyptian history, many were refined and developed as time progressed. However from the pictorial evidence available we can associate certain instruments with particular times in Egyptian history.

Clarinet, flute, harp (usually pharaoh's head on the base) (Old Kingdom)

Barrell drums, clappers (made of bone/wood/ivory), the sistrum (percussion instrument which led all musicians with a beat), rattles (Middle Kingdom)

Trumpet, type of oboe, pipes (single/double reed), drums, tambourines (New Kingdom)