Soundscape

In my first semester of the Broadcast Media Fda I am required to complete three modules. These are BC1001 'Roles & Processes', BC1002 'Intro to sound', and BC1003 'Group Audio Project'.

After a brief explanation into what these modules require I wasn't too shocked at the amount of work that was expected of me. However upon reading the handbooks in more detail I found I had a lot more to accomplish in a little amount of time, and having since experienced trying to collect various amounts of data from people (i.e. Vox Pops etc.) I now know it's not going to be as easy as I'd originally thought.

After our first day of the course which was primarily based on informing us of what's to come, we were more thoroughly informed on our first projects. To begin with we were introduced to the idea of soundscapes and what were required to do for our own soundscapes. From this I learnt that a soundscape is basically a combination of different sounds that when collected together create the sound of a particular environment. For our project we would be required to find, record and edit our own soundscapes.

After learning about soundscapes I did some research on them, in particularly the works and readings of the composer R. Murray Schafer who has played quite a key role in the research and studies of Soundscapes.

The man himself, R. Murray Schafer.

According to Schafer there are three main elements of soundscapes, as quoted below;

'Keynote Sounds: This is a musical term that identifies the key of a piece, not always audible… the key might stray from the original, but it will return. The keynote sounds may not always be heard consciously, but they “outline the character of the people living there”(schafer). They are created by nature (geography and climate): wind, water, forests, plains, birds, insects, animals. In many urban areas, traffic has become the keynote sound.

Sound Signals: These are foreground sounds, which are listened to consciously. Ex: warning devices, bells, whistles, horns, sirens, etc.

Soundmark: This is derived from the term landmark. A soundmark is a sound which is unique to an area. “Once a Soundmark has been identified, it deserves to be protected, for soundmarks make the acoustic life of a community unique”(schafer)'

Wikipedia search for Soundscape. [Online] available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundscape [Accessed 07.10.08]

Albeit, this was only basic research to further expand my knowledge on what soundscape was and as always Wikipedia isn't the best online source for research. It did however list a good amount of reference's, most of which were book titles and given the chance in the future I will try and look at one or two of these. It also provided me with a variety of links to other websites and soundscape samples which gave me a better idea of what I would be required to do later when creating my own. One website provided by greenmuseum.org and entitled 'voice of the planet' listed a selection of Soundscape artists, with further information regarding the artists themselves and more insight into soundscapes (although unfortunately wouldn't allow me to play any audio files). Another website I looked at focused on the 'World Soundscape Project', an educational research group established by (once again) R. Murray Schafer that together aimed to draw attention to the increase in noise pollution. Most interestingly though was from the website Speakerson.net which gives access to a soundscape based around London's Battersea Park and mixes it with minimal flash graphics.

The WSP group in the churchyard, Dollar (Scotland), 1975. Left to right: R. M. Schafer, Jean Reed, Bruce Davis (standing), Peter Huse, Howard Broomfield.

Whilst still at an early stage in the project I have been thinking of some ideas for my own soundscape. One idea of mine was to do an 'autumn' scene where I could collect together the various sounds you would hear on a typical dreary day (i.e. Rain, Wind, Rustling leaves etc.). I already have some doubts about this idea, as I believe it wouldn't allow for much development and feel i would run out of sound ideas quickly into the project. I also feel that this would cause some trouble when using the equipment, and recording the various weather sounds wouldn't be too plausible. My second idea is a 'Work' scene which as you would have it came to me when working at WH Smiths this past weekend. As I was tidying around the store I started to notice all the various sounds that can be heard within a shop and it got me thinking how it would work well as a soundscape. The variety of sounds that I could record (e.g. Customers, Tills, Children etc.) wouldn't have to come from the one place and I could also do some audible research whilst working there every weekend (and I know now that with Christmas coming, the sounds will be especially vibrant).