The Music of Silence

There is a piece of piano music called 4'33" (that's "four minutes, thirty-three seconds") by John Cage.

The performer sits at the piano and does nothing for four minutes and thirty-three seconds.

According to the instructions, the performer can actually sit there for any amount of time. It doesn't have to be exactly four minutes and thirty-three seconds.

It can also be for any instrument. Or, any combination of instruments. No limit to the number of performers on stage, either.

Sounds kinda silly, right?

Don't believe it's real? Check out this video.

I think the greatest challenge for the performer is keeping a straight face the entire performance.

Some who attempt performing this take it quite seriously. Others play up the oddity and take the comedic approach.

In any case...

While this piece sounds like a bad joke, there is actually a profound philosophy behind it.

That music is everywhere.

The idea of 4'33" is that the "music" is the sound of the space. The shuffling of someone's feet in the concert hall. The sound outside. Creaks in the building. 

It is its own music of sorts. And it's one we frequently miss out on with all the digital noise.

Try closing your eyes for 10 seconds and just listen to what you hear. Don't worry, we'll wait...

Did you do it? Come on, please...?!?

I'm serious, if you're reading this and still haven't tried it, go ahead and take the 10 seconds now.

Okay, welcome back. What do you think? Was the 10 seconds blissful? Hear anything you may have missed?

One of the most meaningful things we can do is regain our ability to listen. Not only to other people, but the sounds around us. We can become more focused, more enlightened, and more alive.

This TED talk by Julian Treasure on improving our listening is terrific. If you have seven minutes and thirty-five seconds, it will forever change the way you hear the world.

In any case, try taking a few moments today.

Close your eyes.

Enjoy the silence.

Come back and tell us what you hear.