Sage Bharata defines 'Music' as the confluence or combination of Swara, Tala, & Pada - all in harmonious blend. Sage Matanga defines 'Raga' as a combination of musical notes that gives delight. a melody arrangement to project a definite mood, emotion or feeling.
Brahma was the origin of music inspired by Sama Veda. From one note, music progressed to three, then five & crystallized in seven notes, the Sapta Swaras. Sapta Swaras are Shadja, Rishaba, Gandhara, Madyama, Panchama, Daivata & Nishada. Swara is a musical note. Swaras are reputed to have been inspired by sounds of birds & animals such as :

Shadja --	Peacock
Rishaba --	Ox
Gandhara --	Goat
Madyama --	Krouncha bird
Panchama --	Cuckoo
Daivata --	Horse
Nishada --	Elephant

Indian music has fundamentally been a spiritual aid & the vehicle for the soul to realise & attain the Universal Soul ( Paramatman). It lay stress on melody, harmony being secondary though vital.
Corresponding Classification/Nomenclature :

Greek	Ecclesiastical	European	Arabic	Indian
Lydic	Ionian	Modern C	Meia Mode	Dheera Sankarabharanam
Pypygian	Dorian	Modern D	Irak Mode	Karaharapriya
Doric	Phrygian	Modern E	Mex Mode	Todi
Hypelysic	Lydian	Modern F	Edzeil Mode	Kalyani
Hypopurigion	Mixolydian	Modern G	D.Jorka Mode	Harikambhoji
Hypodoric	Aeolian	Modern A	Lisa Mode	Natabairavi
(Mixed Doric)	(Locrian)	Modern B	Saika Mode	Nilambari

Scale means stepwise arrangement of notes which when successively invoked develop & provide melody. Shadjam is basic or adhara swara which is the basis for the other six notes. Madyama is pitchforked between two traids. Panchama denotes the fifth place. When Sama Veda was recited ( Sama ganam), the spouse accompanied on veena or flute.
From Pranavam emanates
Satyajatam, Vaamanam, Tatpurusham, Eesanam & Aghoram which are the five faces of Lord Siva, from which the musical notes emanated & passed on to Posterity. Siva taught Parvati, the prime Sishya & it was successively passed on to Tumburu, Narada, Nandikeswara & Saraswati.

Saraswathi-the Goddess of Fine Arts (Painting as found in Nepal)

Initial instruments were : Damaru of Siva, Flute of Krishna, Conch of Vishnu, Drum of Nandi, Veena of Saraswati & Narada, Thambur of Thumburu. Lord Buddha reinvigorated his teachings & message with music on his Parivadini veena, made of gold, having 21 strings. Sama Veda is well-known as musically rendered. Rig Veda too is reputed to have been chanted once musically. Thevaram by Appar, Sundarar & Sambandar and Divya Prabandam by Vaishnavite Azhwars came up during 7-9th centuries.