Steve Reich's "Electric Counterpoint" is a minimalist work composed in 1987 for an electric guitarist. It uses layering and phase shifting techniques where short melodic motifs are played across multiple tracks of electric guitars and bass. The piece has three movements and is composed of short repeating ostinato patterns that build up in complexity through the layering of guitar and bass parts.

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

2.  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.

3. Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the
relationship between two or more
voices that are independent in
melody and rhythm.

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

5. Steve Reich
 1936 – (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.

6. 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.

7. Electric Counterpoint
The 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

8. Structure and tonality
2 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.

9. Glossary
 Layering – 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.

10. Glossary
 Phase 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.