Sonic Meditation

Question 1

Hearing

Answer 1

the physical means that enables sound perception

Question 2

Listening

Answer 2

to give attention to what is perceived both acoustically and psychologically

Question 3

Deep listening

Answer 3

“The process of practicing listening with the understanding that the complex wave forms continuously transmitted to the auditory cortex from the outside world by the ear require active engagement with attention”

o The process of fully engaging with sounds, beyond just hearing them. It involves paying close attention to the different layers and nuances of the sound, recognizing that what we hear is a complex wave form that requires our active focus and awareness. It’s about connecting with all aspects of the sound, not just passively receiving it

Question 4

Improvisation

Answer 4

Performing something without reference to a text or preparation”

Question 5

Toning

Answer 5

Giving voice to each breath usually with a vowel sound held out for the duration of each breath”

o Another way to deepen the breath; also has a calming effect

Question 6

Sounding

Answer 6

improvising with a particular vocal sound
o Any kind of sound made with the voice

Question 7

Focal attention

Answer 7

attention to a specific sound

“Like a lens, produces clear detail limited to the object of attention”
E.g., at a baseball game, focusing on the sound of the bat hitting a ball instead of the roar of the crowd

Question 8

Global attention

Answer 8

attention to the entire space/time continuum of sound

“Diffuse and continually expanding to take in the whole of the space/time continuum of sound.”
E.g., at a baseball game, focusing on the roar of the crowd, instead of the bat hitting the ball