Response to ‘Silence’ – an article by John Cage
This article gives a lot of information about experimental music, but focuses a lot on the prominent Americans who feature in its history. I was more interested in what he had to say about experimental music and the way he described it and its characteristics.
In relation to the composition of experimental music, Cage states; “the procedure of composing tends to be radical, going directly to the sounds and their characteristics, to the way in which they are produced and how they are notated.” This emphasises the unconventional way experimental music is composed. Much of it is improvisation, therefore it is never notated. Note the reference to sound and how it is produced – again reinforcing its importance to experimental music.
“What is the nature of an experimental action? It is simply an action the outcome of which is not foreseen.” I think this quote encapsulates the process of creating experimental music – its unknown quality. Once again, I believe emphasis is placed on the journey and the process of creation, not the destination or the final product.
This statement agin reinforces the importance of sound, as opposed to melody or harmony etc. within experimental music; “We know now that sounds and noises are not just frequencies (pitches).” This alludes to the importance of sound and how they can be much more than just sound. Combined, they can become a whole piece of music.
Cage states in this article that harmony and counting in meters, both of which are pivotal to creating many styles of music, are not important to experimental music.
He also states that “each aspect of sound (frequency, amplitude, timbre, duration) is to be seen as a continuum, not as a series of discrete steps favored by conventions,” which again emphasises the connected, flowing nature of experimental music and also the journey of creation along the way.
Finally, Cage embodies the purpose of experimental music in this statement; “Giving up control so that sounds can be sounds.” I believe that this is the key to understanding experimental music – understand the importance of sound and the process of creation, and you will be able to appreciate experimental music.
Millie
References:
Cage, John. Silence – A Histort of Experimental Music in the United States http://www.zakros.com/mica/soundart/s04/cage_text.html
lilen23 Said:
on May 28, 2008 at 6:22 am
Hey Mil!
I was reading your post and I found this section to be very interesting:
“Cage states in this article that harmony and counting in meters, both of which are pivotal to creating many styles of music, are not important to experimental music.
He also states that “each aspect of sound (frequency, amplitude, timbre, duration) is to be seen as a continuum, not as a series of discrete steps favored by conventions.” ”
I think that quote is such an excellent way of describing the abstract nature of this genre and the ways in which conventions and genre boundaries have no authority in this style of music. The best thing about experimental music is that it provides a new way of listening to sounds – it gives the listener an alternative way of consuming music – and that’s what has maintained its reputation.
I also think this is what excludes it from mainstream coverage. A lot of popular music is defined by the structures that they follow and (in some cases) is what allows the music to be marketed.
Great post Milman!