Inmusic theory andmusic criticism, the termeclecticism refers to use of diversemusic genres. A musician might be described as eclectic if different parts of their output can be ascribed to different genres such asfolk,rock,electronic,classical, orjazz.

Eclectic musicians may also use historical references in their work. A song can reference historical forms and methods through its composition, arrangement or production.

The term can be used to describe the music ofcomposers who combine multiple styles of composition; an example would be a composer using awhole tone scale variant of a folk song in apentatonic scale over achromaticcounterpoint, or atertianarpeggiating melody overquartal orsecundal harmonies.

Eclecticism can also occur throughquotations, whether of a style,^{[n 1]} directquotations of folk songs/variations of them—for example, inMahler'sSymphony No. 1—or direct quotations of other composers, for example inBerio'sSinfonia.^[1]

• Polystylism
• Progressive music

• ‹See TfM›Kennedy, Michael, and Joyce Bourne (eds.). 2006. "Eclecticism", inThe Oxford Dictionary of Music. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
• ‹See TfM›Cope, David 1997. "Decategorization."Techniques of the Contemporary Composer,^{[page needed]}. New York: Schirmer Books; London: Prentice Hall International.ISBN 9780028647371.