Musical Characteristics of Impressionism
Melodic characteristics which vary from short dabs of sound to long, free flowing lines
Harmonic characteristics are primarily homophonic and frequently move in parallel motion
Rhythmic characteristics are usually free and flexible with irregular accents and rhythmic ostinatos used to give feeling of stasis rather than movement
Modal influences which emphasized primary intervals; octaves, fourths, and fifths in parallel motion
Whole-tone scale divides the octave into equal major/minor system and leads to obscured fluidity
Pentatonic scale is sounded when the black keys of the piano are struck
Escaped chords were harmonies that gave the impression of having escaped to another tonality