Listen, Hear

Combine and hold sounds in an encompassing perspective.

Contrast this means of sound design with music in the general sense. Listen to a performance or recording of a musical work repeatedly and later spend an idle hour in a dynamic sound environment away from music.

In each case both active listening and hearing in a passive manner take place: the former is directly occupied with sound while the latter is aware of it at less intense levels, yet still engaged.

Consequently, the listener may find interest waning in the general musical piece with repetition, while the nature of ambient sound design, patterned after that of the dynamic sound environment, continues to retain the listener's attention over time.

Solitudes

The sounds of lonely places have their own characteristics, wherever they may be.

At a distance from routine activity, textures and movements of sound strike the ear as being less predictable.  They may seem to have a stronger presence and a greater impact in the stillness of time and place.  Their quiet contrast to the common auditory sensations of everyday experience, whether encountered on an urban rooftop or in a pastoral setting, leaves a profound impression if it is heard with fullness of attention.

It is an impression that cannot be recreated, but musical efforts to suggest this state of consciousness, ones that follow such patterns and evoke similar textures of sound, may bring such an atmosphere to the receptive listener.

MP3

Available today.

The Celestial Way-- 70 Minute Album. 99 cents.

Three Letters

Just this minute my wife looked up from a crossword puzzle she is working on, smiled, and said, "I know this one: 'Brian ___ of Roxy Music'".

That is certainly a sign that a name has gained common currency in our culture. Interestingly, it refers to Roxy, rather than ambient, music, considering Eno's association with the band is mainly found in the first two Roxy Music albums.