As Slow As Possible

One of my favorite podcasts is 99% Invisible hosted by Roman Mars, a show “about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world.”

Last week, I listened to Episode 588, As Slow As Possible. 

The story is about an organ piece called Organ2/ASLAP. ASLAP stands for “as slow as possible” and the piece is set to be played over 639 years. The composer of this piece is none other than John Cage, famous for his other composition “4’33”.”

I highly recommend the show! You’ll learn a little about how organs work, a bit of music history, Germany, and the community built around keeping this performance alive beyond our own lives. 

While listening, something John Cage said struck me:

I love sounds just as they are, and I have no need for them to be anything more. I just want it to be a sound.

Something I practice from time to time is just being still and listening to the sounds around me. I close my eyes and listen to the furthest sound I can hear. Then I listen to the closest sound I can hear. Then I listen to my own breathing. 

And if I could practice that kind of deep listening while I play the piano, then that’s a good practice. 

Music is all about listening. 

Many people don’t listen when they practice the piano. If you're practicing and you're not seeing results, the first thing you have to ask is how is your listening.

Listening is the number one skill in becoming a musician. And for a life well lived, too, dare I say.