Inertia and Action in Music

1
Inertia and Action in Music

• Autscape 2008
• Katja Gottschewski

2
Inertia in Music

• Minimalist music (examples Steve Reich, Philip
  Glass, Terry Riley)
• Silence (John Cage, 433)
• Ostinato, bourdon
• Loops
• Active music that makes us feel inertial
• ?
• Inertial music that makes us feel agitated or
  active

3
Inertia in Music can be...

• meditative (e.g. chanting, didgeridoo, Arvo
  Pärts Fratres)
• calming
• a source of stability (an inertial element in
  active music, e.g. Bordone from Brittens 1st
  Suite for Cello)
• an expression of tentativeness and uncertainty
  (e.g. group improvisation)
• an expression of hopelessness and frustration
  (e.g. Requiem for a Dream)
• a metaphor for death (e.g. Schubert lieder)

4
Action in Music

• Example Astor Piazzolla, Adios Nonino
• Change rhythmically, harmonically, melodically,
  dynamically, tempo, character
• Direction
• Expectation
• Structure
• Tension and relaxation

5
Getting from inertia to action

• Breaking a pattern
• Gradual or sudden change
• Harmonies that give direction and expectations
• Rhythm as a driving force
• Changing the dynamics
• Changing the tempo not necessarily getting
  faster
• Changing the mood
• Rests

6
Endings

• Endings as transitions from inertia to action and
  vice versa
• Endings require action
• The never-ending ending getting stuck
• Different types of endings
• Ebbing out
• Ending on the point of culmination
• Tension and relaxation

7
Taking it to other situations

• Listening to our own inertia
• Inertia as a stabilising element helping us and
  others to survive in an overwhelming
  environment
• Musical techniques to get out of inertia that may
  be useful in other situations
• Change the tempo
• Find a rhythm / change of rhythm
• Find a direction / goal
• Use increased tension to be able to get out of
  being stuck and relax
• Try to change the mood. Thinking of musical moods
  may help e.g. changing from a minor key to a
  major key
• Decide how to end an activity