When I first started listening to minimal music I had a very hard time getting people to accept it. Most people thought it was nice but a little boring compared to the kind of music they were used to hearing at warehouse parties, festivals, and big raves. I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out what it was I liked about it and why others did not share my discerning taste. Its not to say that everyone found the music boring. Some people, those who I would describe as having active minds tended to enjoy the music a lot.
I came to the conclusion based on the kinds of people who liked the music that much of minimal music's intrigue comes from the empty space. I think people who are creative enjoy minimal music more because their minds fill in the blanks... no wait that is not what I mean to say... their minds embellish the sound which is there. The empty space allows more room for interpretation. I have always thought that the empty space has its own rhythm and in emptiness creativity can be found. Structure in empty space is an important component which is often overlooked.
Ten years ago when I first heard the the song "Form is Emptiness" by Swayzak on Forcetracks I was enthused by the concept. It was my first exposure to this Buddist concept and I loved it right from the get go. It makes me think of complimentary sets in set theory and the role they play in defining the whole. Who is to say that our emptiness is actually empty though? Have we ever experienced emptiness in physical form? Its doubtful, I read in Popular Science that in one cubic centimeter 100 000 particals of dark matter flow though that space every second. Sorry, I am getting off topic.
The emptiness can be relative but it is so important. Empty space in music is as powerful as negative space in visual art.
What is more graceful then a beautiful sound reverbing off into the emptiness? Nothing. Pardon the pun. Sorry, silly joke
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I guess I just want to emphasize that 'emptiness is form' and 'form is emptiness' and that the interplay of form and emptiness can be the most intriguing area of exploration in music.
Emptiness is a playground.