Minimalism

Steve Reich 3rd Movement from Electric Counterpoint.

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Minimalism developed in 1960 s and 1970 s Made up of repeating LOOPS which are SHORT and SIMPLE The music becomes complex especially RHYTHMICALLY COMPLEX NO REAL TUNE The harmonies are made by patterns layering on top of each other.

TECHNIQUES y y y Additive Melody one note is added on each repetition of pattern. Taking notes away inserting a rest instead of a note on each repetition. Then possibly moving the rest. Metamorphosis changing the pattern shape. Changing one note or bit of the pattern each time it repeats. Often it can go full circle and end up as the same pattern as at the beginning. Phase shifting adding a rest to the next instruments pattern meaning the lines are out of phase this continues as each part enters creating phase shifting. Layering loops of different lengths played together, similar effect to phase shifting, this creates cross rhythms.

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INFLUENCES FROM AROUND THE WORLD y y y y y y Polyrhythms West Africa meaning multiple rhythms played together. Layering Gamelan from Indonesia has layered parts all playing versions of the same melody Hetrophony Slow Changing Harmonies Drone of a Raga (indian music) Pieces long and hypnotic Some Indian and Gamelan pieces go on for days Looping most non-western music based on loops Rhythm more important than the melody West African music.

Steve Reich 3rd Movement from Electric Counterpoint

Steve Reich y y y y y y Born New York Learnt Piano and Drums Degree in Philosophy and studied composition with modernist composer Luciano Berio Influenced by Jazz and non-Western music and Balinese Gamelan. Tried Serial music, but preferred tonal music (writing in a key). Met Terry Riley in 1960 s and begun to write Minimalist music.

His Work y y Different Trains reaction to holocaust, recording conversations on a train and had instruments imitate their voices, he uses vocal samples through the piece. Clapping Music group of people clapping the same rhythm that gradually moves out of sync. Phase shifts,

Electric Counterpoint
y y y y y y y y Written for Pat Metheny in 1987, just one guitar. Three movements you are looking at the 3rd movement. 3rd movement has 7 electric guitars, 2 electric bases and a solo guitar part. The performance is by one guitarist playing with a backing track which they have multitracked beforehand. The three movements are known as FAST SLOW FAST as they are only titled by tempo markings 192 96 192. There is no pause between sections. 3rd Movement is 140 bars long and is on 3/2 time (3 minims per bar). At some point 12/8 is introduced on top of the 3/2 rhythm. It is made up of short patterns/riffs. Ostinato patterns. The Timbre stays the same throughout as only guitars a re used.

Looping to Build Up Layers

y y y y y y y y y y Each part of the piece is Pre-Recorded. Each part Overdubbed. This is called a Multi-track Recording. Music s Repetitive The melody is a Resultant Melody. The piece is Riff based. They re in Canon. Guitar three when it comes in gets built up by using Note Addition. Starts in bar 10 and becomes the full riff in bar 15