20th-century music history

20th-century music saw rapid innovation, breaking traditional boundaries. It began with late Romanticism’s expressive melodies, then moved into jazz and blues, which influenced popular sounds. Modernism emerged, experimenting with dissonance, atonality, and new structures, exemplified by composers like Schoenberg. The rise of electronic instruments and recording technology expanded creativity. Styles such as minimalism, avant-garde, and postmodernism challenged conventions, while world music influences broadened horizons. Popular music evolved through rock, pop, and hip-hop, shaping culture globally. Overall, 20th-century music was characterized by experimental spirit, diversity, and a push toward new auditory expressions.