New instruments and the sounds of popular music have changed the soundscape of the twentieth century. Contrapuntal textures prevail in art traditions. Popular traditions are centered on homophonic textures.
Rhythmic language can be enormously complex.
Melodies can be long and abstract or reduced to small gestures. Any harmonic combination is possible. Composers have made use of extreme dissonance as well as microtonal intervals. Form can be controlled to an almost infinite degree, or it may be the result of improvisation and chance.