I’m writing a piece where 5 players in 3 sections loop a certain bar halfway through. While 1 section loops the music at one tempo, the other two sections slowly phase out of tempo (akin to steve reich’s various “phase” pieces).
However unlike steve reich, the performers aren’t just speeding up to be a 16th off. Each player will be wearing headphones connected to a metronome. They will all start at the same tempo but when they phase, 2 other performers will gradually change the tempo for sections 2 & 3, making the music sound free but still have structure.
I want the piece to end with all 3 sections playing their last note in sync, I think that would have an AMAZING effect on the audience, everybody ending together after so much seemingly random music. My only problem is that it seems extremely difficult to calculate on which beat for each tempo the notes sync, especially since they change gradually.
The tempos for each section are as follows:
(all are eight = tempo)
Section 1 = 121
Section 2 = 132
Section 3 = 110
When the phase begins, the 2 people who are manually changing the tempo do so at a rate of 1 click per measure in a 3/4 time signature until they reach the desired tempo. The starting tempo is 121 for each player, then sections 2+3 increase/decrease in tempo by 11 clicks over the course of 11 measures (in the tempo of section 1 (121)).
I may sound like I’m trying to do something impossible but if anybody has any tips or knows the math to figure this out that would be EXTREMELY helpful.
Also if anyone is confused by what I mean or needs any more details to figure it out just let me know!!