As a sound artist, I have been (positively) challenged by this project in a number of ways. First of all, explaining detailed concepts of listening as a first step to working with sound and music is not an easy concept to grasp, especially for Key Stage 1 children... The second challenge has come from acting as Lead Artist on the Year 1 project - "Plants and Growth" - what sounds do plants make? Well, none audible to human ear without the aid of technology. Using a contact mic it is possible to hear the working of a plant and then amplify it so it can be recorded, but for me that was a step too far with such young children, and too focussed on technology.
So, the focus became on the elements that contribute to a plant's growth. Rain and SUN. Well, the rain stuff is easy, through the use of onomatapaeic words (splish, splash, splosh), percussion instruments (metallic sound objects, "plinky" sounds), and water (splashing, blowing bubbles, pouring water - lots of fun!!!), I was able to record a number of useful sounds to illustrate a concept. Ultimately, these sounds will end up as the soundtrack to Giles' animated film.
Heat and the Sun is an altogether different challenge - what is the sound of the sun (imaginatively)? So this afternoon, we will be recording all sorts of heat-making electrical objects in an attempt to create "hot" sounds. A hair dryer, computer fans, microwave ovens, buzzing lights, ovens etc., basically anything that can make a low droning sound that will contrast nicely with the sploshy and plinky sounds made by the rain.
Joseph Young-sound artist
1 comment:
brilliant blog
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