deep listening
To help you pay attention to the complexity of sound, you’ll devote time to listening to
and analyzing the sounds around you.
Begin by finding a space that you can occupy for at least 2 hours. Some of you may not
be able to go outside, or might be able to go to only less populated spaces. This is no
problem: you can still analyze how sound is functioning in those spaces, even if the space is
your own.
A. Sit and listen to the sound in the space. Take very detailed notes on what you hear.
Don’t leave anything out, no matter how mundane the sounds might seem. In particular, listen
for sounds that you might otherwise ignore or dismiss.
B. After you’ve taken your detailed notes, you’ll analyze what you heard. Your analysis
should be centered on the question, “how is sound being used in this space?â€
Use the following questions as a guide for your analysis. You don’t need to answer all these
questions, but you’ll probably want to address a few of them.
• What are the sounds people make? Are there rules of etiquette that define how people
should use sound in the space? Include yourself in this: what are the ways you are
encouraged to behave sonically in the space?
• How are the sounds of media part of the space? Are you using media that makes sound? If
so, why? What are you trying to achieve by using this media?
• Are there any other technologies that makes sound? What purpose(s) does their sound
serve?
• What sounds do you have control over? What sounds do you have no control over? What
do you think about sounds you can’t control? Do you try to ignore them? Why?
• Pay attention to anything that seems to influence the sounds of the space. Include in this
objects like walls or windows. What is their purpose, sonically?
C. Read the four articles listed below. Find at least two concepts from at least two
different articles that relate to your analysis of the sounds you heard.
Cspregi, “On Sound Atmospheresâ€
http://www.surfacenoise.info/neu/1230S20SEC4/readi…
McCartney, “Soundscape Works, Listening, and the Touch of Soundâ€
http://www.surfacenoise.info/neu/1230S20SEC4/readi…
Makagon, “Sonic Earthquakesâ€
http://www.surfacenoise.info/neu/1230S20SEC4/readi…
Kassabian, “Ubiquitous Listeningâ€
http://www.surfacenoise.info/neu/1230S20SEC4/readi…
D. Write 2 – 2.5 page (double-spaced) essay on the analysis of the sounds you heard.
Begin by briefly summarizing where you were, why, and what you heard there. Then devote the
remainder of your essay to the analysis of the sound, centering on the question of how sound
is being used in the space. You might not address all the sounds you heard; you might find that
what is interesting about your sound-space is a specific set of sounds.
E. If you’d like to include a brief (20-30sec.) recording to support your analysis you’re
welcome to do so, but it isn’t required.
