Debussy’s work was very much revolutionary in the sense that pushed previous technique to a new level. Debussy explored unusual harmonies and dissonances. It is easy to see that Asian music and poetry were influential to Debussy. He made extraordinary use of the whole tone scale, which involved six whole tones instead of half steps. These whole tones enabled him to realm into moods and expressions that hadn’t previously discovered. Tonal ambiguity would define Debussy’s work. Some of his work was directly influenced by pieces of literature and artwork. For example, one of his most famous and world renowned pieces, La Mer, was based on the painting by Japanese artist Hokusa. Some of his other influences were poet’s Mallarme and Verlaine. He based Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun on a pastoral poem by Mallarme. This form of music was called symphonic poetry. Debussy was also heavily influenced by artist Joseph Turner, who was mentioned in a few letters written by Debussy as a "fine creator of mystery in art." Both he and Debussy were drawn to that other than reality. The lack of distinguished coloring and shadows can be seen as tonal ambiguity in Debussy’s music.

Sound Bits of Piano Works