Brief summary of activity
Participants will research music and sounds related to specific topics.
Aim of the activity
This activity aims to create an understanding of how elements such as music and ambiance recordings could reinforce a media message.
Expected Outcomes
- Participants will examine whether there is a message connected to specific music tracks
- Participants will learn how stories can be told through music, ambiance recordings and lyrics
Experience and skills required
A good knowledge of music.
Facilitation skills.
Editing skills might be required to assist the participants.
Infrastructure, setting, resources
No special requirements
Length
60 to 90 min. (variations longer)
Material
Computers with internet access, headphones, speakers (audio devices, CD player, editing software)
How the activity should take place
All participants get a topic, for example “Holidays at the sea“, “unknown culture“, “daily work“ …
Participants are asked to build a list of pieces of music according to the topic. There is no limit in styles of music.
The task takes about 60 min. Ideally a collection of audio samples is added with the list. It probably takes some more time for saving and editing the sounds.
At the end participants should present their collection to the group.
Recommended max. number of participants and trainees to trainers ratio
6 to 1 (4-1 for vision impaired and learning difficulties)
Risk and possible adaptation
It is a bit lengthy. But it’s really inspiring.
Variations
All participants get different topics each, so they don’t know what the others are working on.
The presentation then might be combined with including some sound connotations to the listeners. Which topic could be “described“ with the collected music?
Advanced participants could be tasked with producing a short mix (3 to 5 minutes) of music. Of course this takes some more time. The activity then is connected to practising digital editing software.
Tips for Trainers
It’s important not to limit the music search. Participants should be encouraged to look for music of different styles and various sources. (To use only youtube will limit the results definitely.) While participants are working, the trainer should direct the focus on rhythm, melody, harmony, lyrics of music. Participants should discover what the different feelings music evokes.
The activity also can take less time if participants collect only a list on paper. Usually they combine only well known music. The search for new music combined with the task to describe it through associations is much more surprising and mind opening.
Analysis and evaluation
Who choose what music and why?
What did the others associate with that particular music style?
Were there commonalities / differences?
What does music tell us?
Scheduling
This activity works very well if it is possible to extent the time between task giving and presentation. Most of the time is left for searching the most diverging results.