Stephen Michael Reich was born October 3rd, 1936 and is an American composer. He is a pioneer of minimalism. His innovations include using tape loops to create phasing patterns ( for example “It’s Gonna Rain” and “Come Out”), and the use of processes to create and explore musical concepts (eg. “Pendulum music” and “Four Organs”).

Pendulum Music (For Microphones, Amplifiers Speakers and Performers)
This is a piece of work by Steve Reich. Its involves suspended microphones and speakers, creating phasing feedback tones. The piece was composed in August 1968 and revised in May 1973.
Three or more microphones are suspended above the speakers by means of a cable and stand. The microphones are pulled back, switched on, and released over the speaker. Gravity causes them to swing back and forth as pendulums. As the microphone crosses above the speaker, a feedback tone is created. There is a variation in lengths…