THE EXPRESSIVENESS OF SILENCE

THE EXPRESSIVENESS OF SILENCE and SPACE in STORYTELLING, MUSIC and ART

by Charles R. Hale 

Recently, a few friends and I gathered in a local pub when the subject turned to “silence and space” in art. When one of my friends mentioned that he once heard Pete Seeger say, “It’s not what you put into a song, it’s what you leave out that counts,” the music of jazz great Miles Davis came to mind. When I began listening to Miles I was struck by his ability to do more with silence and empty space than any musician I had ever heard. Miles didn’t fill every second with sound. He understood the power of silence. Listen to “It Never Entered My Mind.”

Great artists have the ability to create with less, allowing us our own space to develop our own story: Francisco Goya, in his Tauromaquia series used blank canvas and shadings of grey and white to create the feeling of space. In this sketch, Goya uses empty space to dramatize the fury of a singular moment of horror during a bullfight.

Johan Sebastian Bach understood the power of silence and space as well. During Bach’s B Minor Mass, at the end of the section marked Crucifixus (Crucification), the music slowly sinks into silence, followed by a pause—a moment of contemplation, a moment of space—and then, an explosion of joy and revelation in the Et resurrext. (The Resurrection)

A year ago I received a note from a friend. “Would you read a story I wrote? Something’s missing. I’m looking for a word or words that will give the last few paragraphs more impact, more oopmh. Nothing seems to work.”  I read her story and while I claim no great editorial skills, I felt the character development was wonderful, the story had great pace, from the inciting incident, which created conflict, through the midsection’s rising tension, right up until the crisis point or conflict resolution. The ending was perfect. I sent my friend a note. “I could see your character in the last scene and I understood his problem. I knew his motivations and I was there with him. You didn’t have to tell me the character was desperate or frantic, you’d done all the heavy lifting earlier. Your shorter words and shorter sentences built a moment of high drama. Your writing shows great respect for your reader; you allow them the space to be creative; you allow them the space to furnish the emotion. Less is more. In my view, that’s what often makes for great storytelling.”

The power of space and silence were never more evident to me than when I spoke before a gathering of college students and their families a number of years ago. The subject was the value of family stories. I was undecided about including the story of my mother’s sister’s death, a baby who died seven hours after she was born, until the moment I began speaking. I feared that I’d have difficultly controlling my emotions, yet, within a few minutes—I don’t know why—I started telling the story.

As I feared, her death and burial, and the emotions that the story evoked in me, were still too raw. I bowed my head and my eyes filled with tears; I had no idea how I would go on. Finally, I looked up. I was astonished. The entire front row was crying. I regained my composure. I was able to finish my story.

The events of the day became clear to me later in the evening. During the story’s build-up a number of listeners were probably experiencing a bond with my grandmother, grandfather or me. They were sharing a powerful story and many may have assumed the role of one of the characters in the story. Other listeners may have experienced the same wound and so they filtered my story of the baby’s death through their past. When I paused, the listeners may have been provided the space in which they could explore their thoughts, furnish their own emotions, and develop their own stories.

Miles Davis once said, “‘It’s not about the space you play, but the space you leave.” Allowing for space and silence may be one of the keys to effective creative expression, not only for the artist, but the artist’s audience as well.

MUSIC: GREAT LIVE PERFORMANCES (MALES)

Some musicians shine in the studio but don’t quite have what it takes live and on stage.  Here are some male performers who could/can do both.  Women to follow shortly. 

 

FLY ME TO THE MOON/FRANK SINATRA

 

Who and what is “cool”?  That reminds me of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s comment about pornography and obscenity: “I know it when I see it.”  What’s “cool”? Watch this.  Sinatra was so at ease with himself, so subtle.  A flick of his head, a slight movement of his shoulders,  a swinging style and a great storyteller. 

 

 

TUPELO HONEY/VAN MORRISON

 

Some of Van Morrison’s performances move me like no other artist.  Listen to this one, which includes an incredibly inspired solo by saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis. 

 

 

TO BE LOVED/LONELY TEARDROPS/ ALONE AT LAST JACKIE WILSON

 

Before there was Michael Jackson there was James Brown and before Brown there was Jackie Wilson. Known as Mr. Entertainment, Wilson could dance and sing like few others.  Here, Wilson’s brilliant multi-octave tenor is on display. 

 

 

TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS/OTIS REDDING

 

Otis Redding was a major figure in soul and R and B during the early and mid-sixties. First recognized for his soulful and highly energized live performances, Redding soon became a major recording artist. His last hit, Dock of the Bay, was recorded a few days before his death in late 1967 and released in early 1968.  Redding died in a plane crash at the age of twenty-six.  Here’s Otis and “Try A Little Tenderness” performed during one of his fabulously successful European tours. 

 

 

SO WHAT/MILES DAVIS AND JOHN COLTRANE

 

In the mid-fifties Miles Davis lead a small band, which included the young saxophonist, John Coltrane. Their music changed the course of jazz.  In this video both are featured in “So What” a song from Miles’ seminal album Kind of Blue. The best selling jazz album of all time is also, arguably, one of he most influential musical works ever produced. While Miles and Trane made incredible music there were times when Miles would become impatient with Coltrane’s lengthy solos. Coltrane would respond to Miles exasperation with, “I don’t know how to stop ,” to which Miles would respond, “Just take the effin horn out of your  mouth.”

 

 

NESSUN DORMA/LUCIANO PAVAROTTI

 

And what was the best live performance I ever attended? Not even close. Listen to this now popular video of Luciano Pavarotti.  Adults, dressed to the nines, were standing on their seats, cheering. Never saw anything like it.  It still raises the hair on my arms when I listen to it. 

 

Davis

 

Written and compiled by Charles R. Hale.