Many
soundscapes of the world have seen dramatic changes in the type and fidelity of
their sounds. Low surrounding noise levels allow the listener to better
ascertain the particular location of a sound.
When sounds can be clearly heard, are not hidden in a sea of other sounds, and a sense of perspective noted, they are considered to be hi-fi (Schafer 43). Rural areas usually exhibit this type of sound environment. Conversely, the typical modern-day city is considered lo-fi because many sounds are masked by a flurry of competing noises (Schafer 43).
My grandparents lived in a rural, spacious area amongst fields of corn. I could wander off, far away, yet always hear the bell they rang to call me home. Small birds and animals could be directionally identified, and the rustling of corn stalks gently blowing in the wind sounded like quiet applause from a private audience on a sunny day. The soundscape in that location was definitely hi-fi.
The most mentally engaging of Schafer's soundmarks as a youth is the sound butter makes while churning, exhibiting minute changes over time in both tone and texture (Schafer 48).
I recall that during the hot, summer days of my youth, most mornings I would hear the cooing of a mourning dove in the tree outside my bedroom window. It would typically take the same position in the tree and I was always cognizant whenever it missed a syllable in its call. During the warmer months, this soundmark was always a part of my immediate soundscape.
When sounds can be clearly heard, are not hidden in a sea of other sounds, and a sense of perspective noted, they are considered to be hi-fi (Schafer 43). Rural areas usually exhibit this type of sound environment. Conversely, the typical modern-day city is considered lo-fi because many sounds are masked by a flurry of competing noises (Schafer 43).
My grandparents lived in a rural, spacious area amongst fields of corn. I could wander off, far away, yet always hear the bell they rang to call me home. Small birds and animals could be directionally identified, and the rustling of corn stalks gently blowing in the wind sounded like quiet applause from a private audience on a sunny day. The soundscape in that location was definitely hi-fi.
The most mentally engaging of Schafer's soundmarks as a youth is the sound butter makes while churning, exhibiting minute changes over time in both tone and texture (Schafer 48).
I recall that during the hot, summer days of my youth, most mornings I would hear the cooing of a mourning dove in the tree outside my bedroom window. It would typically take the same position in the tree and I was always cognizant whenever it missed a syllable in its call. During the warmer months, this soundmark was always a part of my immediate soundscape.
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