Here are a few of the techniques used by Glass (most information taken from Music by Philip Glass, by Philip Glass and Juliet Barrett's Philip Glass site.
Additive Process:
The origins of the "additive process" lie in Indian music, and the basic
idea is that the technique takes a bar of music containing a certain group
of notes and repeats it several times. To this group is then added an
additional note, and then another, and so on. Regarding the process,
Glass says, "A simple figure can expand and then contract in many
different ways, maintaining the same general melodic configuration but,
because of the addition of one note, it takes on a very different rhythmic
shape." Additive process is generally considered the most characteristic
feature of Glass' style.
Subtractive Process:
Same as additive process, except notes are subtracted from the original
grouping.
Harmony:
Glass' principle mode of harmonic movement is the abrupt shift between
chords that are related, but not sequential in the traditional manner of
functional harmony.
Rhythmic Structure:
This is the most important element in Glass' music. According to Glass,
in traditional Western music, harmony and melody have always had
priority over rhythm, and in the case of his music, the opposite is true.
Continuous Quaver Movement
Controlled Improvisations
Cyclic Rhythms (see Danceworks analysis for an example.)
Page author: Kirsten Lodal