opening screen
sound bank
resources
composers
 
 
EVENTS - WHEN AND WHERE THEY HAPPEN
contrast
events
  silence
  tension and release
  texture
 
The problem with electroacoustic music...

In electroacoustic music there may not be a melody or rhythm or harmony or even instruments so it can be difficult to know what to listen out for. Each sound has been placed in a certain position because the composer felt that it was appropriate.
What do listeners have to do?

As listeners it is our job to figure out what the relationship is between the various elements in a piece. Consider every event or 'gesture' you hear as a musical happening.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Silence versus Loudness (Susan Wilkinson, 2004, 59")

1. Does the composer introduce all of her sounds immediately?
2. Is there suspense? Is there a climax?
3. How far apart, in seconds, are the main events? Can you say what the events are?
4. Does the composer keep our attention?
5. Is there unity in the piece?
 
   




 
 
Arrange the following two sounds to keep the listener's attention for 40"

Sound event 1: looped xylophone motif
Sound event 2: filtered noise

How important is repetition? How else can unity be achieved?
Other musical elements contribute to the overall structure.

   
One of these elements is
SILENCE