Experimental Music

I think music is one of the most versatile styles of art. My preferences vary from dance, electronica, hip-hop, rap, R&B, pop, rock just to name a few. Lately in the art and technology class students have been touching on this new style called Experimental Music and some of the artist part of this movement. One of the artists who got introduced to us was John Cage. Interestingly enough, he is a composer, pianist, philosopher, writer, printmaker and most importantly inventor of his own style of music. With a ready-made state of mind, he goes and cut and paste random sounds. He says “since music is an experience, music is suppose to be some type of conversation you haven’t done before.” His music has been labeled controversial just like many other famous artists. John Cage takes a different path and eliminates harmony which in my opinion is the second most important thing in music, after rhythm. His focus is mainly percussion and invents the prepared piano which I have to admit is ingenious. The prepared piano features screws, bolts, spoons, clothespins, aspirin boxes, a doll's arm, strips of felt, rubber, plastic, and leather. But he doesn’t stop there, what he is best known for is his composition of 4’33” where the pianist spends four minutes and thirty three seconds without playing note. He is quite audacious but which great artist isn’t?