Rhythm and Form

Although pitch has remained the primary medium for expressing the variable modes, Chou has also been interested in the modal potential of other parameters. One realm in which Chou has successfully attempted to apply a modal approach is that of temporality, in particular rhythmic patterns and durational ratios, which are manifested as “rhythmic modes,” a term coined by the composer himself. In this chapter, we will examine Chou’s rhythmic technique by focusing on these rhythmic modes, the first appearance of which coincides with the formulation of the Type I pitch modes. The second part of the chapter explores Chou’s formal approach and its relationship to modal structure.