My question is what compositional techniques were used in the 20th century? I have looked everywhere including my book and cannot find compositional techniques defined. Can you give me the definition of compositional techniques and then maybe I can figure out what they are looking for? Thanks.

This might help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_classical_music

I searched at http://www.google.com for 20th century music composition techniques and found this, but if it doesn't tell you what you need to know, please repeat the search and see if there's any other site in the search results that does. If not, keep altering the search terms to get different results.

Of course! Compositional techniques refer to various methods and approaches used by composers to structure and develop their music. These techniques shape the organization, form, and overall aesthetic of a musical composition, and they can be found throughout music history, including the 20th century.

To understand what specific compositional techniques were used in the 20th century, it might be helpful to explore some key concepts and approaches employed during this period:

1. Atonality: This technique involves the absence of a tonal center or traditional harmonic structure. Composers like Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg explored this approach, which led to the development of the 12-tone technique (also known as serialism) as a way to organize pitch material.

2. Serialism: This method extends the concept of atonality by using a tone row or series, which is a predetermined ordering of all twelve pitches, as the basis for the entire composition. Composers such as Anton Webern and Pierre Boulez embraced this technique.

3. Minimalism: This style focuses on repetition, gradual change, and clear tonal or rhythmic structures. Composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass are associated with this approach, which often features simple harmonic progressions and gradual variation over time.

4. Experimentalism: Many composers in the 20th century, such as John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen, embraced experimental techniques that pushed the boundaries of traditional musical practices. This might include aleatoric or chance compositions, electronic music, or incorporating unconventional sounds or instruments.

5. Collage and quotation: Another technique used in the 20th century is the practice of incorporating pre-existing music or fragments within a new composition. Composers like Charles Ives and Igor Stravinsky employed this method to create unique juxtapositions and interplay between musical ideas.

To further explore these techniques and their applications in specific compositions, you can refer to music textbooks, scholarly sources, or even online resources that focus on 20th-century music. These materials may provide more in-depth explanations and examples to help you better understand the concepts and their context within musical composition.