Following reading Alex Ross' essay "Searching for Silence" about John Cage's "art of noise," I had many takeaways about John Cage, silence, noise, and the beauty of our day to day sounds. I concluded that silence is a crucial and often overlooked element in music. Composers have used it to create tension, contrast, and a sense of anticipation. Cage even praised the words “Silence is the universal refuge.” I really resonated with this because I think finding comfort, peace, and serenity in silence is something that I practice in my meditations and hikes. Further, "silence" can help you appreciate the sounds of life. I have always been more drawn to gentle sounds like birds chirping in the morning or waves crashing on the beach. Cage himself even said, "quiet sounds were like loneliness, or love, or friendship." Further, in his composition 4:33, you can see this idea in action. I really like how Cage used unique objects to create noise. If music and sound creates a feeling, I definitely think Cage successfully did this. Overall, I really appreciate his radicalism and I can see how he impacted music composition today. Some of my favorite song end or begin with moments of silence accompanied by the tuning of a guitar or clearing of the throat. One of my favorite songs, Ode to Viceroy, end with Mac Demarco taking a puff of a cigarette or joint and coughing on it. It evokes a concluding feeling to the song. Overall, this reading was very interesting and I have a better appreciation for John Cage.
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