Final answer:
Impressionist composers explored new tone combinations by using techniques inspired by the visual arts, such as using the whole-tone scale to mimic the effect of light and color in music, which created a novel, vibrant soundscape.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of daring new tone combinations explored by Impressionist composers is the use of simultaneously contrasting colors in music, taking inspiration from art. Composers like Claude Debussy were known for such innovations in music, often mirroring the Impressionist painters' focus on light and color. These composers experimented with scales such as the whole-tone scale, which creates a dreamy, ambiguous sound, breaking away from traditional harmony and exploring new soundscapes. This reflected the visual artists' technique of placing small commas of pure color side by side to create vibrant scenes when viewed from a certain distance. This musical analogy is akin to painting with sound, offering a whole new palette of sonic colors to the listener.
Impressionist composers pushed beyond the accepted norms, just as Impressionist painters sought to capture fleeting moments and the effects of light. Composers like Debussy and Ravel used innovative chord structures and orchestrations to achieve similar effects in their music.