Classical music in the 20th century
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how classical music developed in the 20th century, identifying key features and genres.
Key learning points
- In the 20th century, classical music developed in various different ways.
- Many composers used non-functional harmony, while some experimented with atonal and microtonal music.
- Experimental composers challenged core principles of the Western Classical Tradition (e.g. silent music, chance music).
- Minimalist composers wrote mostly diatonic music based on repeating ostinati and gradual changes.
Keywords
Atonal - music which has no key or tonic note
Minimalist music (minimalism) - a style of music that emerged in the 1960s in the USA, defined by its repetition of minimal musical ideas
Non-functional harmony - where chords don’t have their traditional roles (e.g. chord V resolving to I, using mostly primary chords)
Experimental music - music that radically challenges what we think of as 'normal' music
Ostinato - a short, repeating musical idea (plural: ostinati)
Common misconception
Non-functional harmony sounds the same as functional harmony.
While some of the chords might be the same, the difference is in the role. In functional harmony, chords have specific roles (e.g. V coming before I to create resolution). In non-functional harmony, any chord can be used whenever the composer wants.
Teacher tip
This content is designed primarily for schools following the AQA specification, of which this is a compulsory part of the course. However, other schools may find it useful to use this lesson to provide some broader learning for pupils and to consolidate some of the earlier learning from the unit.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which period came directly before the 20th century in Western classical music?
Q2.A short, repeating musical idea is called an .
Q3.Which of these describes atonal music?
Q4.Match the term to its meaning:
using only notes of the scale/key
using notes outside the key
using notes between Western semitones
Q5.What does the word experimental suggest in music?
Q6.In minimalist music, ideas change over time.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which is a feature of minimalist music?
Q2.Music that has no key or tonic note is called music.
Q3.Match the style to its feature:
diatonic music with repeating ostinati
radical challenges to normal music (chance, silence)
uses notes smaller than Western semitones
Q4.Which composer mixed Hungarian folk music with non-functional harmony?
Q5.A short musical idea that repeats is an __________. In minimalist music, several of these are layered together.
Q6.Which of these is an example of experimental music?
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Classical music in the 20th century, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Classical music in the 20th century, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 music lessons from the The Western Classical Tradition: extended unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.