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Atonal and Serialsim.

Arranged Blocks

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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:24 am

So I have been diving into my latest musical obsession.
My last ones were Gypsy, Gypsypunk, steampunk, and progressive metal.

But I once again have returned to another orchestral thing.

Can anyone please explain to me what exactly Atonal and serialism is?

I've been hearing about it, but can't really get the concept of it, I keep on hearing too many different things about it.

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Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:34 pm

Well when you study music theory up until the 20th century your studying Tonal music. It consists of all the harmonic rules made from Bach into around the 20th century. For example in major keys, the [iii] chord should go to the [vi] to the [IV or V] to the [vii or V] to . That is a "tonal" chord progression, and all classical music up until the 20th century stayed mostly true to these types of rules.

When we hit 20th century all of these tonal rules started being broken. This is what we call "Atonal". I see it as basically the opposite of tonal, the opposite of the rules. Composers like Debussy didnt necessareily follow the tonal chord progression above for example. He made chords go wherever he wanted them to. Thus, Atonal.

My music theory textbook is even called "Tonal Harmony".

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Im not as familiar with serialism. I know its involved IN atonal music, 20th century stuff, but I havnt studied it much quite yet.

Anyone else around maybe be able to explain serialism? Or add anything to Atonalism?

`Kel`
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Everlasting Radiance

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Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:58 pm

Oh geez, I really need to be refreshed on Music Theory IV. Sadly all I remember is about 12-tone Serialism is that you did it through a matrix or something.

@Kel, I have the same book, by the way. lol

All I know, though, is that it was very hard for me to come to appreciate listening to either. I love impressionism, but the atonal stuff is just hard to listen to.

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 8:41 pm

lol, thats awesome we have the same book, which school do you go to?

I have to agree with you about the atonal stuff. I appreciate and respect it for what it is and why it was made. But I cant listen to it for very long. Impressionism is about as far as I go too.

`Kel`
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Arranged Blocks

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Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:31 am

Ah, I see. Thank you for explaining it to me. I think my intrest in it has grown even more.

Although sadly...I still haven't taken Music Theory. And i'm going to be a senoir in high school up coming school year. Ah, I feel ashamed...

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 5:30 pm

Dont feel bad, I barely understood the concept of minor until I started college. xp

`Kel`
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