Silence in music refers to the intentional absence of sound, which can create tension, emphasize a moment, or enhance the emotional impact of a piece. Composers like John Cage have famously explored silence, with works such as 4'33" that challenge traditional notions of music by focusing on the sounds of the environment during the silence. In musical notation, silence is represented by rests, which indicate periods where no notes are played. These rests can vary in duration, contributing to the overall rhythm and structure of a composition. The use of silence can be as powerful as sound, shaping the listener's experience and interpretation of the music.