A work of music is '''atonal''' if it lacks a [[key (music)|key]]. Generally, this is accomplished by using all twelve tones of the [[chromatic scale]] in equal proportion. This technique was pioneered in the 20th century by Austrian-American composer [[Arnold Schoenberg]]. With few exceptions, atonal music is generally inaccessible to the average listener, and thus remains controversial. In fact, it was banned in [[Nazi Germany]] for being "degenerate" art. | A work of music is '''atonal''' if it lacks a [[key (music)|key]]. Generally, this is accomplished by using all twelve tones of the [[chromatic scale]] in equal proportion. This technique was pioneered in the 20th century by Austrian-American composer [[Arnold Schoenberg]]. With few exceptions, atonal music is generally inaccessible to the average listener, and thus remains controversial. In fact, it was banned in [[Nazi Germany]] for being "degenerate" art. |