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Area of study 2: Minimalism – “Electric Counterpoint” – Steve Reich

Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

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Page 1: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

Area of study 2:

Minimalism – “Electric Counterpoint” – Steve

Reich

Page 2: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

Minimalism came about shortly after Schoenberg’s death in 1951 in the USA.

Serialism meant that composers could not express themselves. Wanted to move back before serialism to expressionism

Minimalism had very simple rhythmic phrases and is very repetitive.

Simple, diatonic harmony.

Making complex music from very simple ideas.

Page 3: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

CounterpointIn music, counterpoint is the

relationship between two or more voices that are

independent in melody and rhythm.

Page 4: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

PolyphonicElectric Counterpoint is

Polyphonic:

It is made up of 2 or more individual parts being played at the same time. The parts fit together harmonically.

Page 5: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

Steve Reich1936 – (Born in NYC)

He believed in “The process of change” where the listener should be aware of gradual changes in music = long pieces.

He introduced the idea of phase shifting in 1966.

Wrote both instrumental and rhythmic minimalist music.

Rhythmically complex pieces.

Repetitive music.

Page 6: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

Electric Counterpoint - Background

Performed by one guitarist.

Pat Matheny in 1987.

Has 3 movements – ours is the 3rd.

7 electric guitars and 2 electric bass guitars.

Multitrack recording.

No titles – just have tempo markings.

3rd movement is 140 bars long .

Made of short ostinato patterns.

Timbre doesn’t change much as it’s only guitars – quite repetative.

Page 7: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

Electric CounterpointThe music is built up in layers.

The 7 Electric Guitars and 2 Bass Guitars enter as follows:

1 – Guitar 1

2 – Live Guitar

3 – Guitar 2

4 – Guitar 3

5 – Guitar 4

6 – Bass Guitars 1 and 2

7 – Guitar 5

8 – Guitar 6

9 – Guitar 7

Page 8: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

Structure and tonality2 Main sections and a CODA:

Each main section is divided up into 4 smaller sections which are defined by key changes.

Section A: Section B:

1 – E minor? 1 – C minor

2 – E minor 2 – E minor

3 - E minor with C, Bm, E. 3 – C minor

4 – E minor 4 – E minor

CODA – Ends in E minor.

Page 9: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

GlossaryLayering – playing versions of a tune all

at different times, building up parts.

Motif – a short melodic or rhythmic phrase.

Polyphonic – 2 or more rhythms being played together that fit together harmonically.

Multitracking – Building up prerecorded tracks over each other – easily done on Logic.

Canon – Like a round where parts come in one by one.

Page 10: Minimalism- Everything you need to know!

GlossaryPhase Shifting (phasing) – When 2 or

more musical versions of a motif are played one after the other, being slightly out of sync. Repeated enough times and it will end up playing together.

Drone – a sustained sound.

Polyrhythm – 2 or more rhythms being played together.