Billy, from a musician’s point of view, this resonates deeply. In music, rests are never empty space. They are intentional, precisely timed, and carry as much expressive weight as sound itself. They shape phrasing, allow breath, create tension, and give structure to time. Silence is counted, felt, and executed with purpose.
When rests are removed, music becomes exhausting. When they are placed well, the body settles and trust builds. That feels closely aligned with what you describe here around nervous system safety, orientation, and overload constraints. Designing silence into VR isn’t absence, it’s ethical structure. In that sense, silence becomes part of the score. I’ve explored this idea in my own piece 4.33, where stillness itself becomes the frame for listening.
Absolutely, Billy. I’ll send the piece to you by PM. And yes, that line is usually attributed to Mozart, that the music lives not only in the notes, but in the silence between them.
Billy, from a musician’s point of view, this resonates deeply. In music, rests are never empty space. They are intentional, precisely timed, and carry as much expressive weight as sound itself. They shape phrasing, allow breath, create tension, and give structure to time. Silence is counted, felt, and executed with purpose.
When rests are removed, music becomes exhausting. When they are placed well, the body settles and trust builds. That feels closely aligned with what you describe here around nervous system safety, orientation, and overload constraints. Designing silence into VR isn’t absence, it’s ethical structure. In that sense, silence becomes part of the score. I’ve explored this idea in my own piece 4.33, where stillness itself becomes the frame for listening.
Exactly, Celia. Where can I listen to your piece?
One famous classical composer (which the name I forgot) once said (something like this): What would musical notes be without the silence between them?
Absolutely, Billy. I’ll send the piece to you by PM. And yes, that line is usually attributed to Mozart, that the music lives not only in the notes, but in the silence between them.
Fantastic! Waiting for your piece. And thanks for the Mozart reminder. I had Pachebel in mind. :)
All good 😊 I’ve just sent it to you by DM.