Sound Words
The aim of this workshop is to explore the different words and worlds evoked by sounds and by music. Participants will be asked not only to describe a sound carefully and accurately, but also to say what mood it evokes or makes them think of, and to think what might be going on that’s associated with that sound, and what interferences one can draw from it.
The workshop has two main parts.
In the first part participants are played a variety of sound effects, one at a time, from the straightforward to the more obscure.
On hearing each sound effect, they are asked, firstly to describe a sound without simply saying what it is. For instance, the ringing of a bell could have an echo effect to it as well as simply being a chime or a ring. It could make one think of Christmas or instead of funerals. Is the bell celebratory or solemn? Why do some sound effects make one think of flying saucers? What makes a sound spooky or cheerful?
As more sounds are played, we will vary the tasks, and participants will be asked what a spooky sound makes them think of, or perhaps what other sense one night associate with it. How can a noise or sound make one think of it being cold? Or of nightfall? Does that means that colours go with sounds, like blue or white for cold? Once all sounds have been played, they will be played a second time, and the participants invited to take at least two of the sounds, and create a sentence describing a single event that involves both (or more) of them.
Those that want to will then be given an opportunity to read out their sentences.
In the second part, brief extracts of music or sound samples will be played. The participants will then be asked three questions. initially we will simply ask them what they think is happening in the sample, what it makes them imagine. But as the samples continue, we will ask them what they think is happening in the world beyond that sample? What is the back story to what it makes them imagine? For instance, if there is a flying saucer and then an alien rhino, does it mean an invasion of Earth?! Or if the music evokes a ship and the sea, is it a pirate ship? Or on a voyage of exploration?
As time allows we will ask participants to take their favourite sample, and write a short piece describing not only what the sound makes them imagine, but what else might be happening in that imagined world (what happened before and after the piece of music and why).
This is designed to satisfy:
Keystage 2:
Citizenship
1a, 1c, 2a, 2e, 2f, 3e and 5 (talking about opinions, responding to the challenge of collecting information, discussing events, reflecting on moral issues, recognizing difference, and increasing the breadth of opportunities.
Art and Design
1a& 3a and b (using imagination, comparing work with others, and adapting it)
Science
1a, 2c, 2j (thinking about cause and effect, thinking about evidence, thinking about how data allows one to draw conclusions)
Music
3a, 3b 4 & 5 a &b (analysing sounds, how music is made and how that effects one’s response, responding to a range of sounds, and understanding different places to start composing from)
The workshop is designed for ages 10+, and lasts an hour.
There is no more risk than in a normal classroom situation.