Array
(
    [fullTitle] => THE ZEN OF NOTES: EXPLORING RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL ELEMENTS IN PIANO MUSIC
    [abstract] => 
This study investigated the connections between musical elements, performance practices, and Zen concepts in piano compositions. Scores reflecting impermanence, emptiness, interconnectedness, surprise, and the use of silence were assigned to various musical elements like melody changes and harmonic shifts. Interestingly, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant influence of either the musical element or the Zen concept on perceived connections within the compositions. This suggests that the specific musical choices may not directly translate to a perceived connection to Zen for listeners. Examining performance practices, the analysis focused on improvisation, tempo fluctuation, dynamics, and their association with Zen expression in recordings. Here, a statistically significant effect of Zen concepts emerged. Recordings associated with emptiness, for instance, exhibited longer durations of silence and a higher frequency of sudden dynamic shifts compared to pieces linked to flow. This suggests that the specific Zen concept explored influenced the performance choices employed to convey the intended expression. The analysis explored themes like "Silence and Emptiness," "Repetition and Impermanence," and "Flow and Form," revealing how musical elements can embody Zen concepts. For example, the use of silence in music reflects the Zen notion of being present without clinging to thoughts or emotions. Similarly, repetitive patterns in music can symbolize the ever-changing nature of reality.

    [authors] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [givenName] => Liegang Chen
                    [affiliation] => School of Literature and Art, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province China
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [givenName] => Jingyu Cheng
                    [affiliation] => School of Media and Arts, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China
                )

        )

    [keywords] => Array
        (
            [0] => Zen, Religious, Piano, Impermanence, Repetition, Emptiness and Interconnectedness
        )

    [doi] => 10.24204/ejpr.2025.4359
    [datePublished] => 2025-09-25
    [pdf] => https://www.philosophy-of-religion.eu/menuscript/index.php/ejpr/article/view/4359/version/1744/3637
)
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THE ZEN OF NOTES: EXPLORING RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL ELEMENTS IN PIANO MUSIC

Liegang Chen
School of Literature and Art, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province China

Jingyu Cheng
School of Media and Arts, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24204/ejpr.2025.4359

Abstract

This study investigated the connections between musical elements, performance practices, and Zen concepts in piano compositions. Scores reflecting impermanence, emptiness, interconnectedness, surprise, and the use of silence were assigned to various musical elements like melody changes and harmonic shifts. Interestingly, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant influence of either the musical element or the Zen concept on perceived connections within the compositions. This suggests that the specific musical choices may not directly translate to a perceived connection to Zen for listeners. Examining performance practices, the analysis focused on improvisation, tempo fluctuation, dynamics, and their association with Zen expression in recordings. Here, a statistically significant effect of Zen concepts emerged. Recordings associated with emptiness, for instance, exhibited longer durations of silence and a higher frequency of sudden dynamic shifts compared to pieces linked to flow. This suggests that the specific Zen concept explored influenced the performance choices employed to convey the intended expression. The analysis explored themes like "Silence and Emptiness," "Repetition and Impermanence," and "Flow and Form," revealing how musical elements can embody Zen concepts. For example, the use of silence in music reflects the Zen notion of being present without clinging to thoughts or emotions. Similarly, repetitive patterns in music can symbolize the ever-changing nature of reality.

Keywords: Zen, Religious, Piano, Impermanence, Repetition, Emptiness and Interconnectedness

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