Electric Counterpoint - Steve Reich Flashcards
When was the piece composed?
1987
Name one other minimalist composer
Philip Glass
What is the melody based on?
Short, repeating one bar motifs
How could the melody be described?
Angular/Disjunct
Which minimalist techniques are used in the piece?
Note addition
Metamorphasis
Which instrument plays the resultant melody?
Live Guitar
What is the melody based on?
Triads
What do the melodies do?
Interlock
What melodical technique is used?
Ostinato
What is the key of the piece?
Starts ambiguous
Defined as E minor
Changes to C minor
Frequently alternates keys
How are the chords played?
They are strummed
What kind of chords are used?
Extended chords (added 7th) And Broken chords
How could the rhythms be described?
Slow and harmonic
What chord does the piece end on?
Bare 5th Chord
What is the texture of the piece?
Contrapuntal
What textural techniques are used in the piece?
Layering Panning Pedal notes Rhythmic drones Imitation
How many main sections are in the piece?
Two
What follows the main sections?
A coda
What are the sections defined by?
Key and texture
What could the structure be described as?
Ternary form
What is the rhythm in in the piece?
Rhythmic counterpoint
Rhythmic displacement
What time signature is the piece in?
Changes between 12/8 and 3/2
What technique do the rhythms use?
Cross/polyrhythms
Polymetres
What note values are used frequently?
Quavers
How many guitars are used total?
10 Guitars
1 Live Guitar
7 Pre-recorded Electric Guitars
2 Bass Guitars
What techniques does the guitar player use?
Picking
Strumming
Describe the dynamics of the piece
Fairly constant
Mezzoforte
What is the only instrument to have crescendos and diminuendos?
The live guitar
What happens throughout the piece?
Rhythmic development
