atonal music

Atonal music is a style of composition that avoids establishing a central key or tonal center, meaning it doesn't rely on the traditional scales and chords that define most Western music. Instead of creating a sense of harmony and resolution, atonal music often features dissonance, unpredictability, and a focus on individual notes rather than melodies. Developed in the early 20th century by composers like Arnold Schoenberg, atonal music challenges listeners to experience sound in new ways, emphasizing emotion and expression over conventional musical structure.