Your Favorite Listening Activities

[Greg Whitt]

Would love your insight on listening activities for groups....  I've been invited to join a panel discussion and lead a drumming activity this evening for our local Public Broad Casting television station.  They're hosting a movie premier for an independent film called "The Tuba Thieves" (https://youtu.be/NWOTqGQoZvQ?si=KLUXmPvV7irrl4iG).  

The idea is to generate some discussion on hearing loss.  The film highlights the idea that when the tuba is missing, the band doesn't sound the same.  

-- are there pitches/timbres that are more difficult to hear?

-- is it different when you can't see the sound played?

-- where in your body do you feel different sounds?

-- how do you listen with all the noise around?

-- how does volume affect the aesthetic?

What are the specific activities you might use with groups to showcase some of these ideas?

Man thanks in advance for your sharing!

- Greg

Raleigh, NC, USA

www.drumforchange.com

[Julie]

Hi Greg,

Years ago, I had the privilege to spend time with a Deaf/Hard of Hearing women’s group. 

During a concert, not only were we seated near front, but we each held a filled balloon. The vibrations and energy experienced is something I still remember 40 years later. 🌻

On May 13, 2024, at 5:59 AM, Greg Whitt <gre...@drumforchange.com> wrote:

Would love your insight on listening activities for groups....  I've been invited to join a panel discussion and lead a drumming activity this evening for our local Public Broad Casting television station.  They're hosting a movie premier for an independent film called "The Tuba Thieves" (https://youtu.be/NWOTqGQoZvQ?si=KLUXmPvV7irrl4iG).  

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[Debi Kret]

Wow! Interesting concepts I love this, Greg!

My idea is to have the whole group playing then bring volume down and highlight different instrument groups - 

All drums play quiet - then isolate only one sound at a time over the top of the others (shakers - metal sounds - high and low drums etc) … then bring the whole volume up and ask everyone to sill listen for and isolate the that sound then have that featured sound stop completely - and ask them your questions maybe have a visual list of the questions. It’s 100% subjective but would also be a great example of the difference between hearing and really listening!

I’d love to hear how it goes!

[Teri Shaw]

Hi Greg,

To the second point below... not seeing the sound being played... goes back to elementary school days when the teacher would play finger cymbals, (something with a sound that resonates after its played) first asking students to put heads down on desk (or close eyes) and raise hand when they hear the sound, and lower it when they can't hear it anymore.  Versus hearing it with eyes open. 

To the fourth point below...listening with all the noise around... have everyone make a note of sounds they hear in the moment, and make a comparison chart for all to see.  Some might hear sounds that others don't (humming of florescent lights). 

As someone who has, for the past few weeks, been suffering with a blocked ear and feeling as though half my head is underwater, I can appreciate sounds more fully when my hearing is not affected.  I think as facilitators, we need to be cognizant of the effects that loud and prolonged drumming (indoors especially) can have on hearing.  I work with adults/seniors every week and I speak often of the healing/health benefits of drumming.  I am going to make a point in this week's class, to talk about volume and hearing loss... 

Thank you for sharing!

Regards,

Teri Shaw DCF - Sound Waves Drumming

"Connecting and Creating Communities Through Rhythm"

https://www.facebook.com/SoundWavesDrumming

[Alan Bruni]

Hi Greg,

I am a bit late on this conversation but would love to chime in or connect with you via Zoom to talk ideas.

I often co-facilitate programs with the bass player in my band, Brian (www.brianbushway.com) , who is blind.  He is the worlds leading expert on human-echolocation and teaches newly-blind folks how to "see with sound".  We have developed a program called Acoustic Athletics (acousticathletics.com) combining the entertainment and deep listening of rhythm based activities with Brian's auditory perception training exercises. This was developed to help anyone gain a perceptual upper hand, including but not limited to actors, sports team, solo athletes, and corporate leaders.

One great game is "Marco Polo": One person blindfolded... 3-4 people are "hiding" in an open space, without moving.  Blindfolded person says "Marco" (or one clap), each of the people hiding clap 2 times (or each person hiding has a unique auditory response). The blindfolded person must find each person hiding.   Limit the blindfolded person to only 3-5 "Marcos".  To make it harder, allow the hiders to move each time "Marco" is called.  You can also make it harder by having masking sounds around the space, people chatting, a radio, etc.

Another great game is Pass the Ball.  In a circle each person is blindfolded.  A soccer ball is placed in a plastic bag and tied off.  Now play pass listening to the ball as it travels across the circle.  (you may want to do it un-blindfolded 1st)

On another note:  Years ago I had a long-term relationship with a girl who is deaf.  At the age of 30 no one had ever taken the time to introduce her to music.   Over the 4 years we dated I took her to rock, hip-hop,  reggae, symphonic and electronic music concerts.  She also came to watch my various bands play and helped lug around my DJ gear for many of gigs.  In the end she really developed a taste for heavy electronic music and loved going to see dj's and feel massive stacks of speakers pumping out bass.  Between the low vibrations and watching people move their bodies, she was able to experience music like I have never seen anyone before.  

Having deep experiences with both the deaf and blind communities reminds me of the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit.