Electric Counterpoint

Question 1

2 other Minimalist composers

Answer 1

Philip Glass and John Adams

Question 2

5 features of minimalist music

Answer 2

• Layered textures
• Diatonic harmony
• Slow harmonic rhythm
• Little variety in instrumentation
• Repetition of simple ideas with small changes introduced gradually

Question 3

Who was Electric Counterpoint written for?

Answer 3

Pat Metheney

Question 4

When was Electric Counterpoint first performed?

Answer 4

1987

Question 5

How many movements are there in Electric Counterpoint?

Answer 5

3

Question 6

Instrumentation of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 6

• 1 live guitar (is amplified)
• 7 pre-recorded guitars
• 2 pre-recorded bass guitars

Question 7

Structure of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 7

-3 layers:
·Syncopated quaver motif introduced by live guitar which is followed by top 4 guitar parts one at a time
·New syncopated quaver motif started by bass guitars
·Sustained motif built around 3 chords introduced by live guitar then transferred to other parts
-Once all layers built up, 2 and 3 fade out, 1 continues until it rests on a held chord

Question 8

Texture of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 8

• Contrapuntal

- Canon is created by motif being introduced to live guitar and top 4 guitar parts at different times

Question 9

Melody of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 9

• One-bar motif repeated continuously to form an ostinato
• Motif is introduced to live guitar then top 4 guitar parts at different times creating a canon
• Melody built up through note addition
• Live guitar plays resultant melody

Question 10

Metre of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 10

• Mainly 3/2
• End, some parts play 3/2 and others in 12/8 known as a polymetre
• Metrical displacement created by same motif starting at different points of bar (sound out if synch)

Question 11

Tempo of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 11

• very fast

- 192 crotchets per minute

Question 12

Rhythm of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 12

• Little rhythmic variety-mostly repeating patterns of quavers
• Syncopation

Question 13

Tonality of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 13

• Mostly G major

- Some short E flat major sections

Question 14

Harmony of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 14

• Diatonic
• Hexatonic scales
• No cadences, e.g. final chord = only B and E so unsure if piece has finished in G major

Question 15

Dynamics of Electric Counterpoint

Answer 15

• Fairly constant throughout

- Parts gradually fade out in a number of places