Professional High School
FIRST QUARTER
MUSIC AND ARTS 10
STUDY NOTES #1
20TH CENTURY PERIOD IN MUSIC
I. Historical Background
The start of the 20th century saw the rise of distinct musical styles that reflected
a move away from earlier classical music conventions. These new styles were:
Impressionism, Expressionism, and Neo-classicism. The different musical styles
of the 20th century would not have developed if not for the musical genius of
individual composers. These composers stand out as the moving forces behind
the innovative and experimental styles mentioned.
I. 20th Century Musical Styles
A. Neo-Classicism
Neoclassicism drew inspiration from the music of the 18th-century Classical period
marked by emotional restraint and balance—neoclassicism combined musical
elements from the Classical period with the newer trend. “Back to Bach” was the
slogan of this movement as it used Bach’s work as a model.
Characteristics of Neo-Classicism in Music:
a. It combines tonal harmonies with slight dissonances.
b. It adapted the modern use of the seven-note diatonic scale
(Any sequence of seven natural tones such as C-D-E-F-G-A-B)
c. Uses exciting rhythmic patterns
Composer:
a. Igor Stravinsky
He was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor who was considered by many
as the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. In addition,he
received an international fame for his ballet compositions.
Famous Work: Firebird Suite
HARMONICA
Harmonica or mouth organ is a free-reed wind instrument with a long history, beginning
in China with an instrument called the Sheng. It was further developed in Europe in the
early 19th century, with the first harmonicas manufactured in Germany. The instrument
is played by blowing air into or inhaling air through individual holes known as reed
chambers, producing alternating and harmonizing notes. The tremolo harmonica is a
“diatonic” instrument, which means that you can only play in one key. To play in the key
of C, you will use a tremolo Harmonica in C; to play in the key of G, you will use a
tremolo harmonica in G.
Holes Cover plate
Comb
Let us stick with the tremolo harmonica as our working example, though it shares a similar
structure and parts with others. The basic components of the Harmonica are the comb,
reed plates, and cover plates.
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a. It has holes with two reeds each. The holes are simply where you blow and draw
air.
b. A comb supports the reed plates and creates the holes. Combs are made of wood,
metal, or plastic.
c. Two reed plates hold the reeds, which are securely attached in parallel by nails or
screws.
d. Cover plates hold the parts in place and protect the Harmonica. They are made of
various materials, such as plastic or stainless steel.
How to hold the Harmonica
Step 1: Make a “C” shape with your left hand, keeping your first finger and thumb
parallel.
Step 2: Hold the Harmonica in your left hand as far back as possible. Secure it between
your thumb and forefinger, as shown.
Step 3: Align the tip of your left pinky with the top crease of your right pinky.
Step 4: Cup your hands together while holding the Harmonica and try to create an
airtight seal with your right hand. Make sure there are no gaps.
How to Play the Harmonica:
1. The tremolo harmonica notes are arranged as a major scale, like the white notes
on a piano. For tremolo in C, the notes are arranged like this.
2. The first step would be to find middle C/DO. This can be done by counting eight
holes from the left or you may use a tuner.
3. We will be using the symbols 'O' for exhale (blow) and the symbol 'X' for inhaling
(draw).
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4. When you blow (exhale) into this hole you produce the note C, and when you draw
(inhale) air on the next hole you get the note D. Starting from this point, blowing into
the holes from middle C to high C gives you notes C E G C and drawing air produces
notes D F A B. Taking time to familiarize yourself with these notes will make learning
more manageable as you progress with your instrument.
5. The deeply relaxed embouchure is a technique you can learn and apply. Now, play the
ascending scale starting from the middle Do and the descending scale from the higher
Do back to the middle Do.
B. Impressionism
Impressionism in Music was a movement among various composers in Western
classical Music whose Music focuses on mood and atmosphere. It conveys the
moods and emotions aroused by the subject rather than a detailed tone‐picture.
Characteristics of Impressionism Music:
a. Extensive use of Tone colors (timbre or quality of the sound).
b. Uses unconventional melodies like polychords – two or more chords played
together.
c. Impressionist works centered on nature and its beauty, lightness, and
brilliance.
Composer:
a. Claude Debussy
He is a French composer who was among the most influential composers of
the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He developed his own style of harmony
and orchestral coloring. He rejected the rules of tonality and created music
that is pleasing to the ears, similar to an impressionistic painting that is
pleasing to the eyes.
Famous Work: Clair De Lune
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 Professional High School
FIRST QUARTER
B. Expressionism
It is a musical style stressing intense, subjective emotion and harsh dissonances. MUSIC AND ARTS 10
Expressionism, when applied in music, is genuine emotions with exaggeration. STUDY NOTES #2

Characteristics of Expressionism in Music:

a. It eliminates all traditional music's conventional elements.
b. It features a high level of dissonance, an extreme contrast of dynamics,
constant changing of textures.
c. It has distorted melodies and harmonies and wide leaps.
Composer:
a. Arnold Schoenberg
An Austrian composer and later an American composer who premiered the
use of Atonality. He developed the 12-tone system (a technique ensuring that
all 12 notes of the chromatic scales are sounded as often as one another.) This
style was called "Serialism."
Famous Work: Klavierstuck
IV. CHANCE MUSIC
It is a musical composition where elements of the composition are left to chance. Some
primary component of the realization of a piece is up to the determination of its
performers. This term is most associated with procedures or techniques that uses Chance
elements that involves limited number of possibilities.
Three Types of Chance Music:
1. Use of Random Procedures (Planned Actions)
2. Mobile Form / Open Form /Polyvalent Musical Form - The composer provides
notated events, but their arrangement is up to the determination of the performer.
Sound-mass Composition/Textural Composition - the integration of
individual pitches into complex sound, or sound masses.

3. Indeterminate Notation – The highest degree of indeterminacy is achieved by

this form, where traditional music notation is replaced by visual or verbal signs
suggesting how a work can be performed.

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 PRACTICAL ACTIVITY #2 GUIDELINES – AUDACITY
V. Electronic Music

Electronic is music that employs electronic musical instruments. It was introduced in the 1. Access Audacity link. 4. Playback recorded sound
1950s. Different natural sounds and musical tones are transformed using electronic means
and were then assembled/recorded on a cassette tape for playback. It did not require
rehearsals, performers, nor qualified professional personnel. Sounds were available
anytime without natural means of production.

Electronic Musical Instruments

1. Digital Synthesizer - is a synthesizer that uses computer techniques to make musical 2. Download and install Audacity.
*You may enhance your recorded voice by
sounds. It can imitate traditional musical instruments such as piano, flute, vocals, or clicking “Effect”. Choose the effects that
natural sounds such as ocean waves; or generate novel electronic timbres. you want for your recorded voice.
Ex. Amplify
2. Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) – A recording system or workstation that
has several components. The DAW’s “heart” is your computer which 5. Save/ Export your recorded voice.
determines how many tracks can you record and its “brain” is your software
creating a virtual studio inside your computer.
3. Start recording your voice.
a. Audacity - is a popular, free and powerful audio editing software. Audacity Standard script:
was started in 1999 by Dominic Mazzoni and Roger Dannenberg and was Hi! My name is (YOUR NAME)
released on May 28, 2000. of (LEVEL AND SECTION) and this is
an audio recording with Audacity.

6. Present your Audacity recording to the

class. Prepare a short report on how you
edited your recorded sound and what
effects did you use.

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