Reich

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

1. Binary form and coda
2. Section A is building up
3. Section B has all parts
4. Coda returns to four-part canon

Question 2

Instrumentation

Answer 2

1. 7 electric guitars
2. 2 bass guitars
3. Solo live guitar part

Question 3

Rhythm

Answer 3

1. Fast throughout, clear pulse

2. 3/2 - some guitars play 3/2 while others play 12/8 for extra counterpoint

Question 4

Texture

Answer 4

1. Polyphonic texture, very contrapuntal
2. Texture becomes constant when all parts are in
3. Parts fade out at end

Question 5

Tonality

Answer 5

1. Suggests E and C minor, but ambiguous
2. Frequent changes between C and E minor later on
3. Modal

Question 6

Melody

Answer 6

1. Built up from one-bar ostinato riffs
2. Develops by note addition and layering
3. Live guitar plays resultant melody

Question 7

Harmony

Answer 7

Fairly static harmony, as chords don’t change much

Question 8

Dynamics

Answer 8

1. Fairly constant
2. Only live guitar crescendos or diminuendos
3. Parts fade out