Mind the Gap

Debussy composed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and often took inspiration from the poets and other artists of this era. In fact, Debussy and his music were compared to some of the best Impressionist painters of this time, such was his delight in breaking with musical convention. It’s been said that his music is radical, alive and full of color, the same things said of the Impressionist masters. He was also referred to as a ‘musical painter’. Though apt, he strongly objected to the comparison. This is the same era of architecture, design, art and now this music which I find beautiful and for which I have great affection, as it caresses my soul.

I later watched a video of the same piece performed by the renowned pianist Seong-Jin Cho, his fingers graceful as they floated above the keyboard. I was reminded of a quote attributed to Debussy and some others: “music is the space between the notes”. That space being the pause or silence between the vibrational energies emanating from the strings. Without this space, the notes are just discordant noise and chaos. Without this space, music cannot move. You cannot get to the next note without letting go of the one before it and there is space in doing so. Yes, even when the previous notes are still reverberating.

If we liken these musical notes in a composition to the activities in our lives, then so too is important this space between all those things that occupy us. Too often, discomforted by silence and stillness, we rush to fill these spaces with more activities, and do so for our children as well. This bias towards busy-ness risks chaos. We don’t really appreciate that these necessary spaces are not empty or lacking anything. Sadly, these spaces are not generally considered by many as being productive or engaged or busy, and therefore perceived as being less valuable.

If we are always chasing the next “note”, where is the time to enjoy, to reflect, to compare our experiences and sort through those that are beautiful, that make us feel happy, that refresh our souls? Where is the time to express our heartfelt gratitude? Where is the time to decide from infinite choices those we wish to pursue and to figure out why? Where is the time to let go of others? Where is the time to rest, to recover? Where is the time to sit and simply enjoy a sunset or some other marvel of nature? That time is in the spaces between the notes. It doesn’t have to be mind-numbing, lazy inactivity. Those spaces in music are well-timed and carefully arranged, and thus create harmony.

In creating that harmony and balance in music, there is intention behind the spaces. We would do well to imitate that intention in our own lives and create those opportunities and give ourselves the permission to simply be still, quiet our racing minds and enjoy these moments.