opening screen
sound bank
resources
composers
 
 
SILENCE - MORE THAN JUST TAKING A REST
contrast
events
silence
  tension and release
  texture
 
The role(s) of silence
Consider the use of the silent sections in music. Are they used just as brief rests during a piece? Has silence any other function?
 
 
 


What are the most important happenings during this first minute in each of the extracts below? Why are the silences so effective? What are you expecting next?

Extract 1

Under the Green Time (Roger Doyle, 1995, fv = 19') for uilleann pipes and typewriter. Look at the screen shot of the first 64" of the piece. Follow the waveform while you listen.




 

under the green time
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Extract 2

Crosstalk (Mike Vaughan, 1989, fv = 7') This uses sounds from flute and harpsichord. Look at the screen recording of the first 70" of the piece. Follow the waveform while you listen.
   
   
crosstalk
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Now that you've seen how repetition, position of musical elements and silence all contribute towards the structure of a piece, you should move on to the next section. You will find out about tension and release.
   
THE CLIMAX