The document summarizes elements of 20th century music and characteristics of contemporary music. For elements of 20th century music, it discusses less emphasis on blended sound, percussion playing a major role, and individual tone color being clearly heard. It also discusses the use of polychords, tone clusters, polytonality, and bitonality. For characteristics of contemporary music, it briefly outlines seven categories: impressionism, non-classicism or new baroque, expressionism, nationalism, futurism, computer music, and popular music and jazz. The document provides an overview of key changes in musical elements and genres in the 20th century.

1. C. ELEMENTS OF MUSIC IN THE
20TH CENTURY

2.  there is less emphasis on blended sound
 percussion play a major role
 individual tone color is clearly
heard
1. Tone color

3.  Polychord is created – 2 chords heard at the same
time.
 Use of fourth chord
 Use of tone cluster – produced on a piano by striking
a group of adjacent keys
 use of Polytonality – use of 2
or more keys at a time.
 Use of 2 keys – Bitonality
2. Harmony

4.  One of the most striking elements
 Used to generate power, drive and excitement.
 Beats are grouped irregularly and the accented beat
comes at an equal time intervals
 Example: ‘Ritual of Abduction’ by Stravinsky
 Polyrhythm – use of 2 or more contrasting and
independent rhythms at the same time
3. Rhythm

5.  Based on a wide variety of scales and freely used in all
12 chromatic tones without a tonal center
4. Melody

6. D. CHARACTERISTICS OF
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

7. 1. Impressionism – having refinement, delicacy
vagueness, and an overall “luminous fog” atmosphere
2. Non-classicism or New Baroque – largely anti-romantic
and predominantly objective.
- strives for simplicity and clarity of material, form,
texture, and medium.
3. Expressionism – characteristically subjective,
dissonant, and tonal
4. Nationalism – producing music that can neither be
conservative or radical.
5. Futurism – use of noise in place of, or in addition to,
musical sounds.
6. Computer Music – some experimentation in
programming
7. Popular Music and Jazz – relationship of art music and
popular music

8.  lecture and review
page 18-20 of MAPEH
IV (red book)
Assignment: