Question 1: Describe two major musical styles that emerged during the early 20th century and explain how they differ from traditional classical music.

Answer: Two major styles are jazz and atonal music. Jazz features improvisation, syncopation, and the use of instruments like saxophones and trumpets. Atonal music rejects traditional tonal centers, often using dissonance and avoiding a key, creating a more experimental sound.

Question 2: Listen carefully to a piece of music that features a strong rhythmic drive and irregular accents. What genre could this be, and what are some characteristics that support your answer?

Answer: It could be jazz or jazz-influenced music, characterized by syncopation, swing rhythm, and irregular accents that create a lively, improvisational feel.

Question 3: Identify and describe three features commonly found in minimalist music of the 1960s and 1970s.

Answer: Features include repetitive patterns or motifs, gradual changes in dynamics or texture, and a focus on simplicity and clarity of sound, often created using loops or short musical phrases.

Question 4: Explain what is meant by the term 'atonality' and how it differs from traditional tonal music.

Answer: Atonality refers to music that lacks a key or tonal centre, avoiding the hierarchical relationships of pitches found in traditional tonal music. It often sounds dissonant and unpredictable.

Question 5: Imagine you are listening to a piece with a rapid tempo, dissonant harmonies, and unpredictable melody line. What 20th-century musical style might this be, and why?

Answer: It might be serialism or modernist music, characterized by complex, dissonant harmonies, unpredictable melodies, and a focus on experimental techniques.

Question 6: Draw a simple musical sketch that could represent the repetitive pattern typical of minimalist music. Indicate the rhythm and a repeating motif.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a short, simple motif with evenly spaced notes or beats, repeated multiple times, possibly with slight variations or changes in dynamics.

Question 7: What significant technological development in the 20th century changed the way music was composed, recorded, and listened to?

Answer: The invention and widespread use of electronic instruments, tape recording, and later, digital technology, revolutionized music production and distribution.

Question 8: Name a composer associated with experimental and avant-garde music in the 20th century. Briefly describe one of their contributions.

Answer: John Cage is a well-known composer who experimented with indeterminacy and prepared piano techniques, challenging traditional notions of music and composer control.

Question 9: Describe the role of improvisation in jazz music of the 20th century.

Answer: Improvisation is central to jazz, allowing musicians to spontaneously create melodies and solos within a framework of chord progressions, making each performance unique.

Question 10: Sketch a basic form of a typical 20th-century song structure that includes a chorus and verse. Indicate where the chorus and verse would appear.

Answer: A correct sketch should show a sequence starting with a verse, followed by a chorus, then possibly another verse, and a final chorus. Label the sections clearly.