Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/experiments-with-sound
Are you fascinated by the world of sound, from the subtlest atmospheric hums to the most intricate musical compositions? If so, Coursera’s ‘Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound’ is a course you absolutely must explore. Designed by the creative minds of artist Pedro Lasch and composer Mathias Hinke, and further enriched by the expertise of Jace Clayton (DJ Rupture) and Candice Hopkins, this course offers a truly unique and engaging journey into acoustic phenomena and sonic artistry.
The course is structured into several modules, each building upon the last to provide a comprehensive understanding of sound. We begin with ‘Introduction & Analytical Concepts,’ where the four esteemed co-teachers introduce themselves and lay the groundwork with five key analytical concepts: Frequency, Perspective, Material Frame, Time Frame, and Concurrency. These concepts are not just academic terms; they are powerful tools that help us dissect and understand the multifaceted experience of sound in our everyday lives.
The ‘Elements of Sound and Social Practices’ module delves into the building blocks of sound, exploring terms like tuning, resonance, silence, rhythm, and timbre. It brilliantly bridges the gap between traditional musical instruments and modern technologies like sampling and auto-tune. What’s particularly captivating is how the course then examines the role of sound in non-musical social settings – think the roar of a crowd, the rhythm of applause, or even the cacophony of a traffic jam. It makes you realize how deeply sound is woven into the fabric of our social interactions.
For those who like to get hands-on, the course offers optional projects. ‘Playing with Sound Rules’ invites you to experiment with the acoustic environment around you, while ‘Erase the Sound of a Space’ challenges you to creatively alter or neutralize existing sounds. These projects are fantastic opportunities to apply what you’ve learned and discover your own sonic creativity.
The syllabus also covers ‘Notation, How Music Travels & Public Space,’ exploring the relationship between musical scores and experimental practices, and how artists have utilized urban and rural landscapes as sonic canvases. The journey continues with how music propagates, whether through people or digital means.
Finally, ‘Listening as Practice, Global Forms & The Sound of the Net’ offers a critical look at ‘world music’ and the impact of globalization, before diving into the exciting and often glitchy world of online soundscapes, radio, and social media. The optional ‘Experiment with Failure’ project is a brilliant way to embrace the imperfections inherent in digital media, and the ‘Open Project’ allows for an even more ambitious exploration of your newfound sonic understanding.
‘Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound’ is more than just a course; it’s an invitation to listen more deeply, think more critically, and create more boldly. Whether you’re a budding musician, an artist, or simply someone curious about the world around you, this course will transform the way you perceive and interact with sound. Highly recommended!
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/experiments-with-sound