What is a key characteristic of 12-tone music?

The key characteristic of 12-tone music is that it is built on the principle of using all twelve pitches of the chromatic scale in a specific sequence or row before any notes can be repeated. This method, developed by Arnold Schoenberg in the early 20th century, seeks to eliminate the traditional dominance of tonal centers and harmonic frameworks present in earlier Western music.

In this technique, once a composer has established the order of the twelve tones, they must utilize each note in that series before any can be repeated. This structure is crucial to the 12-tone system, which emphasizes the equality of all pitches and minimizes the importance of creating a hierarchical relationship among them. This contrasts with classical tonal music, where certain notes are emphasized, creating a sense of resolution and a key center.

The other options do not accurately reflect this fundamental principle of 12-tone music, as they either refer to traditional harmonic practices or misunderstand the unique systematic approach that defines 12-tone compositions.