Steve Reich 'Electric Counterpoint'- Introduction GCSE Edexcel Music

Minimalism - common features

• Repeating patterns that gradually vary over time.
• Chords change very slowly as notes are gradually added and removed.
• Diatonic harmony- in Electric Counterpoint, there are 2 different keys but no chromatic notes in either key.
• Originates from African Drumming.
• Little variety in instrumentation; e.g.: only guitars are used in Electric Counterpoint.

Electric Counterpoint

• Commissioned by the Brookly Academy of Music in New York for the famous jazz guitarist Pat Methany.
• The…