Are we the only ones?...

Today in one of my classes, our professor played for us many pieces of Steve Reich. Everyone in the class, including myself, got so lost in the music, we all felt really sleepy.

Are we the only ones that feel relaxed and, for the most part, hypnotized when it comes to good minmalism writing or are we just crazy?

No, you are not the only ones. Most general people get easily affected in that way by minimalism, and even sometimes those of us who are more musically inclined. It's the fact the minimalism tends to lack any high points of interest, like most music does. Since it is 'minimal', there is really not climax, since a climax represents a maximum. So when I listen to minimalism, I am very alert and interested in the music for the first few minutes, paying attention to the detail and beauty, taking in all the complex textures and sounds, but after a while, it does put me to sleep.

I don't know if there is a name for it, but there is a certain style of artwork where there is really no subject to the painting, is it just textures and combinations of shapes and colors but nothing immediately recognisable. In my opinion, listening to minimalism is like a promenade in a museum full of this type of artwork and only this type of artwork.

Yeah, I know how you feel! For me, you just can't beat a good bit of minimalist composing. Two of my favourite minimalist composers would have to be Einaudi and Glass. Einaudi has a new album out, you should really listen to it :thumbsup:

Yeah, I will definitely look him up. Psychologist should do research on minimalism and various stages of sleep. I'm sure if one average Joe was to relax and listen to minimalistic music, they would probably go into REM sleep.

Good minimalistic music is minimally minimalistic :closedeyes:...

Having said that, I enjoy minimalism.....but...only...sometimes. I like it when small changes come and stand out a bit and build up. John Adams is a great "minimalist" composer, I think :D.

Good minimalistic music is minimally minimalistic :closedeyes:...

Having said that, I enjoy minimalism.....but...only...sometimes. I like it when small changes come and stand out a bit and build up. John Adams is a great "minimalist" composer, I think :D.

Definitely :D

Check out 'Short Ride in a Fast Machine' - awesomeness.

I happen to love "Desert Music" by Reich.

and Harmonium and Harmonie Lehre by Adams.

I can't stand any Glass (I prefer cups?).

Somebody I knew from a past school, who used to be a director there, but now a tech guy, at one time said my composition reminded him of Glass and that I should check Glass out. Eventually I did, and liked him a lot, especially Koyaanisquatsi and Pawagattsi and I got a kick out of that "A Loaf of Bread" skit he is featured in, it's on YouTube. I'd say that my actual compositions are nothing like Glass', but sometimes my mindless improvisations are very reminiscent of it.

Koyaanisquatsi.... good stuff -> YouTube - MyPhillip Glass' Koyaanisqatsi

No, you are not the only ones. Most general people get easily affected in that way by minimalism, and even sometimes those of us who are more musically inclined. It's the fact the minimalism tends to lack any high points of interest, like most music does. Since it is 'minimal', there is really not climax, since a climax represents a maximum. So when I listen to minimalism, I am very alert and interested in the music for the first few minutes, paying attention to the detail and beauty, taking in all the complex textures and sounds, but after a while, it does put me to sleep.

Most if not all minimalist pieces I've heard still follow some kind of harmonic and musical framework leading up to, yes, climactic moments.

See....The Canyon, Symphony no. 2, Two Pages, Einstein on the Beach etc etc by Philip Glass...

Also Different Trains, Electric Counterpoint, Piano Phase, Violin Phase, Six Marimbas by Steve Reich...

I don't think I need to go on.

Yes, but these climaxes aren't quite as apparent to the listener as say.... a point in a Beethoven symphony, it doesn't have that grandeur, it is very prolonged and the build up to it is very gradual. It's like going up a ramp instead of taking the stairs. It's not step by step, it just kind eases into the climax, so the climax, though it is still a climax, is not so profound.

Yes, but these climaxes aren't quite as apparent to the listener as say.... a point in a Beethoven symphony, it doesn't have that grandeur, it is very prolonged and the build up to it is very gradual. It's like going up a ramp instead of taking the stairs. It's not step by step, it just kind eases into the climax, so the climax, though it is still a climax, is not so profound.

Sure....

Minimalistic music can be really cool, I like John Adams. Most other minimalistic music also puts me to sleep, but that's okay I think because, the whole concept of minimilism is to do less.

But Glass' music really annoys me! Some composers just tick me off with their annoying motifs. And Glass is minimalistic and thus repeats his stuff also 10000 times, that really makes me go aaargh.