Search parameters

Analytic method based on semiotics, also known as distributional analysis, used by Nicholas Ruwet. "Distributional analysis views music as a stream of sounding elements governed by rules of 'distribution': that is, of ways in which the elements associate with or complement or mutually exclude each other. Its aim is to state these rules as 'adequately' as possible for any given passage of music, or work or group of works; to formulate...a syntax for the music. Its method is to break the stream of music units with all other possible units; when an identity is found, the contexts of the two occurrences are examined for identity...The method is used by musical semiologists and syntactical analysts." (New Grove)