To create a "Post Modernist" piece in the minimalist style, here's the basic recipe: Ingredients: Basic set of diatonic chords Basic set of rhythmic patterns or cells Accidentals to taste Instrumentation to taste (Variation: Add a few modulations) Method: On a large sheet of music manuscipt paper, score your new composition to determine the desired instrumentation. You are now ready to inscribe your basic set of rhythms and diatonic chords in whatever pattern suits your purpose. Repeat these musical patterns. Repeat them again, and again, and again.... Sprinkle accidentals to create chromatic chords to taste. Now, eventually, still repeating the patterns in a fairly obvious way, use your inherent wiles and musical 'nous' (adding a modulation or two, if desired) to fold in the dry ingredients, i.e. vary the rhythms and progression of chords very gradually to subtle and almost imperceptible effect. At some point, bring the composition to an abrupt end. When this method is applied with sufficient skill and imagination, like the "Felders Never-Fail Sponge Cake", it will rise to the occasion, bringing its creator much critical acclaim. Geoffrey S.W. Gaskell