Fell's Multistability uses independent percussion and chord layers, no fixed grid, and velocity/speed/duration focus to generate emergent rhythmic complexity

Mark Fell’s ‘Multistability’ guidelines (from his chapter on pattern synthesis) define a compositional approach: no grid or pencil tool, no fixed tempo, simple patches, focus on velocity/speed/duration rather than pitch as primary parameters, and simultaneous percussion and chord layers that must always co-occur (no percussion without a chord, no chord without percussion). The system switches between stable and unstable states as independent layers evolve. Polymetric layers of different lengths create evolving emergent structures that cycle through combinations on timescales of minutes or longer.

Examples

Two layers: one 7-step, one 9-step percussion sequence playing simultaneously at the same tempo. They drift in and out of phase alignment, creating apparent tempo changes and rhythmic complexity without any global tempo shift.

Assessment

List three of Fell’s Multistability guidelines and explain how each contributes to the emergent complexity of the resulting music. Then generate a two-layer polymetric structure using different step counts and describe what you would hear.