Musical Rests

I’ve finally figured out, I think, what musical rests are about. Whether it be a brief eighth rest or a whole note or whatever, the rest serves two fundamental purposes. For years I thought the function was so the performers had a chance to breathe. But the rests do not come with adequate frequency for that. The rest provides an opportunity for the listener to assimilate what has just been played and then to anticipate what is to come. I suspect most of this takes place unconsciously. It might seem that a rest of a mere eighth note would not be long enough for both assimilation and anticipation, but the unconscious mind can work with marvelous speed. In the first place, the rest allows the listener to take in and partially digest the music produced since the last rest. It gives a brief respite from listening and allows the music to begin to be absorbed. The longer, unmeasured rest (maybe five to fifteen seconds) that occurs between the movements of concert hall music furnishes opportunity to get a feel for the entire previous movement. On the other hand, with the melodic line with its harmony and tempo broken by the rest. The listener’s ear leans forward in expectation and building anticipation of what will come next. The rest supplies dynamic accent to the music, adding a distinctive liveliness. Is this what all healthy rest is about? I think so. Whether it is the rest that comes at bedtime, or the ten minute break at work, or God’s Sabbath, the rest gives us time to assimilate what we have been doing. After only relatively brief time, we begin to feel ready for what is to come, we begin to think and plan for what we will do next. Rests are essential to the movement of human life. Without the rest, we don’t comprehend the meaning of what goes on in our lives, nor do we adequately prepare ourselves for what is to come. Enough writing. I need to rest awhile.