Assignment #1

Assignment due: Th. Jan. 20, in class.

1. Soundwalk & soundscape:

A. Compose a sound walk: create a walk plan with listening instructions that describe: place, time, what to listen to. Make it a map or some design that is more aesthetic then just a list. Include additional text if you wish. Think about the "feel" of the plan / graphic representation of your composition.

B. Soundscape sketch: Compose a brief soundscape (approximately 1 minute).  Use field recordings from your sound walk as your primary source material.  Pay particular attention to how your sounds work together.  Do they complement each other?  Do they clash?  How does their relationship drive a narrative?  Try to tell a story. (See some ideas below)

Instructions: At this point do not use sophisticated editing beyond cross fades or equalization. Basically put clips on a timeline. In soundscape you may change the order of event compared to the sound walk.

Tools:
Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/)
Microphones and other equipment can be borrowed from Brady Baker.

Ideas:
Soundwalk in an urban atmosphere versus sounds of nature.
Sounds of sailing, plunging in an ocean, diving.
Story of a city - industrial production, building, housing construction
Journey in a forest, cutting trees
Visit in a computer game arcade.
Sounds of a boxing ring or other combat.
Drunken bar story...

2. Reading: A perceptual approach to the analysis of J. C. Risset’s Sud.

Listen to the recording of J. C. Risset’s Sud, first movement.

Questions:
How does Risset use surrogacy and spatial imagery?
Describe the musical form of the piece. How is the arrangement structured?