The Experimenting Ear

How can we parse and make sense of the varied
sonic phenomena that comprise our world? Can we
build a vocabulary that helps us recognize and
recall its components, like frequency, duration,
and form, as accurately as we do those described
as music? How does building this vocabulary help
us make sound-based art? Drawing on ideas borrowed
from studies in soundscapes, spectromorphology,
deep listening, and others, we will analyze
different musics, field recordings, and our
surrounding environment, and use these tools to
make new work. Course open to all students
specializing in composition and experimental sound
practices, and to others by permission of the
instructor.
Students have the option to co-register for MHST
425-01 / 525-01 Survey of Sound Art and MSCM-310 /
MTHY-510 - ACOUSTICS: Applied Physics for
Musicians and complete a cluster project for this
course.