The Modern Soundscape
In this approach to recognizing the soundscape around us, students will record three naturally occuring sounds. They will assume the role as observer and only record sounds that are native to the soundscape and cannot be created by themselves. Using the sampler in Garageband by Apple (https://appsto.re/ca/zQgxy.i)
to record the sounds, students will then manipulate these three sounds into something that the believe resembles a kick drum, snare drum and hi-hat. Allow students to form small groups and explore the soundscape around the school to find samples.
Once suitable samples have been recorded and manipulated into the desired sample, students will then record/perform a drum track*.
In the real world...
In theory this lesson plan has many oppurtunites for student engagement and learning. I am very happy to report that this approach to the soundscape was incredibly successful. I used this approach for two seperate classes (one grade 8 class and one grade 9 class) and it was incredibly engaging. I would highly recommend this approach to help students indirectly learn good techniques into recording a high quality, pure sample, basic multitrack techniques as well as a simple introduction to multitrack recording. Once again, R. Murray Schafer's ideas have been extremely beneficial in the modern classroom.
Feel free to share your experiences with this approach or other ideas!
Onwards and upwards,
Michael
*Let students choose between using three tracks to or a single track to record the beat.
