Sound jams research

about

This page is about the collective research on sound publications, audiozines and sound jams by mits🤖 & ☾ Ål Nik ☾.

Our research has started with facilitation of sound jams and it explores various directions simultaneously. We have brainstormed about:

# ways to create a collective sound publication [sound jams] // october-november 2022
-we will make series of facilitated jams in order to explore various ways to create sound publications and audiozines in group
-we understand jams as collective moments of listening and responding - we create improvised sound pieces together no matter if we have musical training or not
-we will explore various topics through introducing reads and different ways to conduct a jam session
-we will try out collectively several aspects of our individual research
-we will ask for consent for recording the sessions and for editing them later

# ways to collect sound // tba
-we are interested in exploring soundscapes
-field recordings will also happen during facilitated jams - some jams will take place outside and will explore soundscapes
-create instruments and sounds (also with pure data, interfaces for generating recordings)

# ways to edit sound pieces and create audiozines [mixing and editing] // tba
-we would like to explore ways to mix and edit sound
-we are interested in finding out why we edit in a particular way
-we are going to research the theoretical background of mixing and editing, too

sound jams

_01 M&Ms

// 10-10-2022

feedback & reflections

-overall: it was nice; a well-facilitated jam
-the clock structure - helps to listen to the others and move around organically; frustrating when you want to play with someone or some instrument specifically
-instruments shape the experience - some instruments (and/or for some participants) require more focus and it makes it difficult to focus on listening & responding
-improvised instructions in the middle are confusing when the sign language is not introduced ahead / to be given really clearly
-everyone playing at the same time is confusing - climbing up is better (create a slow progression)
-different instruments - different volume and space-taking - great for learning to listen and pay attention
-maybe try giving instruments to people that they never used before - to put everyone at a similar "start"
-visual score will help people without musical training or who are more visual
-warming up can include a moment to explore the instruments
-it will be better if the 5th person starts before the 1st stops
-keep doing the jams with having some of the same participants over and over again - for being able to experiment more and try different things
-don't be afraid to ask people to come to jams when you want to try out new things

learnings

-if we improvise instructions or change the rules during the jam - make sure everyone understands clearly the change
-progression works well for the clock structure - we can create a score that progresses with each round
-always have two recorders working

recordings & mix

tba

wip

▶ working pad - preparation of the session