The Chant of Pantomimes
The Chant of Pantomimes is a form of music used during marches and military engagements originally devised by the human Emeg Elderbee. The rules of the form are applied by composers to produce individual pieces of music which can be performed. The music is played on a pis, three umon and two olek. The musical voices join in melody, counterpoint and harmony. The entire performance should bring a sense of motion. The melody and counterpoint both have mid-length phrases throughout the form. Chords, seldom-used, are sparse -- intervals and single pitches are favored. The music repeats for as long as necessary. It is performed without preference for a scale and in free rhythm. Throughout, when possible, composers and performers are to alternate tension and repose.
- The pis always does the counterpoint melody.
- Each umon always does the main melody and glides from note to note.
- Each olek always does harmony.
- The Chant of Pantomimes has the following structure: a chorus and a verse all repeated up to two times.
- The chorus gradually slows as it comes to an end, and it is to be loud. The pis stays in the dark high register and each of the olek stays in the dull high register. The passage should be composed and performed using frequent modulation.
- The verse is consistently slowing, and it is to become louder and louder. The pis covers its entire range from the wavering low register to the dark high register and each of the olek covers its entire range from the ringing low register to the dull high register. The passage should be composed and performed using frequent modulation.
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