Building a new sound symbol library for global community storytelling. Videos (3) + Lesson Planning + PDF. By Willi Paul, NewMythologist.com

[WIlli Paul]

Building a new sound symbol library for global community storytelling. 

Videos (3) + Lesson Planning + PDF. By Willi Paul, NewMythologist.com

Project Outline

Introduction

Building with Sound in Phases

Archetypical Sounds and the Symbols Library

Integrating Alchemy, New myth, Nature and Sound?

SoundTrack Videos 1 -3:

Mythic Soundtrack 1 – Primitive Man Era – Nature
http://youtu.be/IQ2D8wmE5-E

Mythic Soundtrack 2 – Industrial Era – Oil Profiteers
http://youtu.be/VEOJsbFcbv8

Mythic Soundtrack 3 – Rock & Roll Era – Up Consciousness
http://youtu.be/dJr40D4dQAA

A New Sound Symbol Library for Global Community Storytelling

Lesson Planning:

Questions for Teachers & Students

Additional Educational Resources

* * * * * * *

“The alchemical process is a physical ritual that projects an inner state onto physical elements.” “Yes, I believe I understand how alchemy can work in the sound and visual arts; what’s just as clear is that today’s technology has definitely upped the ante.”

From: “Journey into Joseph Campbell Rising.” PlanetShifter.com Magazine Interview with Stephen Gerringer, Community Relations @ Joseph Campbell Foundation

Introduction

‘As many writers have discussed in PlanetShifter.com Magazine interviews, this sound is an alchemical or transmutation process, where the recombining of elements and the interactive process is more important than the product. Also examine myth as soundscape – or how the imagination of each listener both creates and recombines a story and how the meanings evolve as each collaboration changes the forces. These fragments can be re-mixed as each new group is created.

Differing from other musical composition, here sound is no longer the background but the foreground as the evolving sound collage drives the listener experience; sound is now a new story that we process and interpret individually and collectively.’

Sound as Myth: Initiation and Journey at the Sonic – Human Interface

Building with Sound in Phases

Integrating sound symbols and short soundtracks into longer pieces could take multiple phases. There are many ways to go and relationships to consider. Three phases to consider include:

Phase One: Sound fragments > new interpretations > Alchemic Translation > Sound Symbol Recorded > Collected Symbols > (Story Buildings) New Myth > New Ritual

Phase Two: Building an Integrated soundtrack with new sound symbols via group collaboration

Phase Three: Joining the soundtrack(s) into a story or new myth (as in hearing the three SoundTracks in this study consecutively.

Archetypical Sounds and the Symbols Library

natural sounds
wind, fire, water, storm, lightning + thunder

animal sounds
bark, howl, scratch, chew

human sounds 1
pain cry, grunt, laugh, shriek, baby born

human signals
scent
hand gestures
symbolic language

human – nature sounds
building shelter
damming stream
planting crops

human sounds 2
machine / industrial sounds
formal languages
storytelling

electronic sounds
rock music + live concert ritual
sampling
personalized stereo + equalization

Integrating Alchemy, New Myth, Nature and Sound?

The sounds that we hear in Nature or play in our devices are embedded in our educational and cultural experiences to name two. The following new story foundation values and ethics are recommended as we integrate and act on many of the critical environmental issues like nuclear power, fracking, and climate change.

8 Key Elements in the New Mythology include:

1. Localization – back to sustainability and community; self-sufficiency
2. Nature- Centric
3. Spiritual
4. Future-based
5. Universal themes(s) and message
6. Para-Normal in conflict or characters
7. Initiation, Journey and Hero
8. Permaculture & Transition: values and principles

* * * * * * *

SoundTrack Videos 1 -3:

The three short project videos support sounds for the new library and include 4 – 12 pairs of Sound Symbols with a corresponding Alchemic Translation. Each pair is approximately 4 seconds with no graphics and has a theme (Era) and a subtitle:

Mythic SoundTrack 1
See Video: Primitive Man Era – Nature

SOUND SYMBOLS
stream + crickets
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
hydration + food + bathing

SOUND SYMBOLS
Wind + Fear
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Storm Coming + The Unknown

SOUND SYMBOLS
Lightning + Thunder
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Wonderment + Hysteria + Fire Starter

SOUND SYMBOLS
Fire + Fire Pit + Warmth
ALCHEMICAL TRANSLATION
Safety + Cooking + Community

Mythic SoundTrack 2
See Video: Industrial Era – Oil Profiteers

SOUND SYMBOLS
Factory Production Noise
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Sweat + Labor + Profit

SOUND SYMBOLS
Train Whistle + Wheels on Tracks
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Settlements + Stolen Land + Capitalist Exploitation

SOUND SYMBOLS
Digging + Shovel
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Diamonds + Slaves

SOUND SYMBOLS
Bubbling Gas + Machinery
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Fracking + Poisoned Land + Community Lost

SOUND SYMBOLS
Ocean Drilling
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Greed + Pollution

SOUND SYMBOLS
Nuclear Plant Siren
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Planetary Warning + Poison

Mythic SoundTrack 3
See Video: Rock & Roll Era – Up Consciousness

Alchemic Sound Fragments from: Robyn Hitchcock, Yes, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Richard Butler, Steve Tibbetts,
Pink Floyd, & Bruce Cockburn

SOUND SYMBOLS
Guitar
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Running thru the grass + sunshine

SOUND SYMBOLS
Drums, guitar & Synth
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Bridge to another place

SOUND SYMBOLS
Drums, Guitars, Bass & Samples
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Dreaming – then Awake!

SOUND SYMBOLS
Complete Rock Band
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Proclamation

SOUND SYMBOLS
Organ
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Hover, Reflect, Claim

SOUND SYMBOLS
Percussion
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Run, Wave Chant

SOUND SYMBOLS
Synth & Voice
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Hold hands, kiss & smile

SOUND SYMBOLS
Machine Samples + Guitar
ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION
Sirens & Ghosts

A New Sound Symbol Library for Global Community Storytelling

The proposed sound database or symbol library should have creative commons support, with collaborative tools for members to upload, transform and produce new soundtracks solo or together. It is envisioned that these musical works could assist in the development of new rituals and storytelling. The vision for this new sound symbol library is not the same as SoundCloud.com or Freesounds.org because of its innovative alchemy + myth engine.

* * * * * * *

Lesson Planning:

Questions for Teachers & Students

a) If we can get the power of myth from storytellers and the printed page, then why not from SoundTracks?
b) Can a “Sound Myth” be a series of integrated sounds that combine to have a universal themes and message?
c) How do we translate or transmutate sound into visual cues, messages, initiation and global meaning?
d) How do we map the sound alchemy (transmutation) process as it supports other elements of the New Myth?
e) Describe the relationship between sound alchemy and initiation?
f) What is initiation in the Myth Lab process as Joseph Campbell describes it?
g) Are sound symbols or fragments connected to memories and new feelings?
h) Is initiation like a meditation? How?
i) What is a mythic experience?
j) Does a Sound Myth require a new language, code, or key?
k) Can silence be a sound symbol?

http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2018

Additional Educational Resources

water sound symbol myth: building new nature-based myths (Video). w...

Mixing alchemy and Mythology – Symbols and Spirit. A PlanetShifter....

“Transition Prayer Percussion Ritual” by Willi Paul, NewMythologist...

sound symbols, archetypes & the power of myth: an alchemic jour...