Essay #1

Essay #1

Soundscape

            The article “The Rural Soundscape” written by Murray Schafer discusses the difference between hi-fi soundscape and lo-fi soundscape. Hi-fi soundscape is when a listener can hear sounds in the distance due to a low ambient noise level (Schafer 43). For example, when I am in my large empty home, I can hear my dogs feet tap on the tile floor downstairs because of the quietness in the house. A lo-fi soundscape is when small sounds like tree rustling or footsteps are blocked out by surrounding city noises or busy noises (Schafer 43). For example, it is hard to hear someone opening a soda can from across the street due to people rushing on the sidewalks talking and cars zooming past. Hi-fi and lo-fi soundscapes explain how acutely sounds can be heard in different landscapes.

            Schafer talks about a soundmark that he remembers distinctly from his childhood. He remember the sound of churning butter and how it changed over time as the butter started gaining a better consistency (Schafer 48). He talks about he did not notice it much as a child, but it is a soundmark of his youth. By listening to the distinct sounds of the butter, he was able to realize when the butter was getting closer and closer to being done. A soundmark from my youth would be hearing high heels on the wooden floor. The distinctive click on the ground would alert me of my mother’s presence in the house. When the clicking stopped, I knew my mom had left for work. When the clicking had just begun, I knew she had just gotten back from work. Without realizing it as a kid, I was taking sound clues to determine whether or not she was home.