What distinguishes classical music from other types of music?

The Primary Traits of Music Considered to Be Classical

Placement of stress on attractiveness, refinement, and harmony More diversity and contrast than
baroque within a work (dynamics, instruments, pitch, tempo, key, mood and timbre). The
melodies are typically shorter than those found in baroque music, and they have phrases and
cadences that are more easily identifiable.

In general usage, the term "classical music" refers to the art music of the Western world. This
type of music is distinguished from the folk music and popular music traditions of the Western
world. In light of the fact that the word "classical music" can also be used to refer to art music
from non-Western cultures, it is sometimes distinguished as "Western classical music."