This week's Sounds of the Weak assignment

[solarminite]

This week is practically a giveaway, a very easy way for those interested to dip their toes in Sounds of the Weak:

Make a field recording of approximately 2 minutes documenting your surroundings, from 11:59 PM on 12/31/08 to 12:01 AM 1/1/09.

Restrictive? Possibly. But you can do anything in those two minutes (which can possibly be quite annoying to those you're spending new year's eve with) and also you should feel free to alter the recording after (tracking over, etc).

Due Sunday, 01/04/2009.

For submission instructions, visit http://www.soundsoftheweak.com/submit

[solarminite]

The first assignment for the new year is up:

Make a recording with minimal mid-range: all bass and treble, but "nothing" in between.

Due Sunday, 01/11/2009.

[Frankie Rage]

Is there a point/benefit to doing it?

Extract from a famous No 1 hit song:

"Don't you get me wrong.
I only want to know."

A Newbie

Not wanting to be impudent, but I can't see the application? (Dolt that I am..)

[solarminite]

No worldy benefit in any short term that I can see: no money, just a moderate amount of listeners, etc.

The personal benefits, at least for me, are many:
-The kick in the butt to make something on a weekly basis
-the modesty that comes with making something on a weekly basis, stemming from the knowledge that making recordings that often will likely produce some of questionable merit. Best of all is that the short length of time you have to work on each one gives you less time to second guess yourself and you end up more often than not surprising yourself with something you wouldn't have otherwise made.
-which leads to the assignments themselves, which go along with that idea, of making something you wouldn't have otherwise.

If none of that sounds helpful, maybe it isn't for you? (I too don't want to sound condescending) Admittedly it's a specific application that probably isn't for everybody. I can only speak for myself when I say that the last year of my life has been BY FAR the most productive musically: out of the past 60 weeks, I've missed only 4 or 5 assignments and am close to putting together an album plus a bonus "side project" album.

Publishing? nope. Fame? hell no. Satisfaction? You bet.

[Frankie Rage]

Good enough... I was thinking about something similar earlier.

All experimentation is good, especially if it takes you outside your normal sphere!

Good answer!

Thanks!

[solarminite]

...and continuing said experimentation leads us to this week's assignment, dreamt up by another contributor:


SOW #62: Future 40

The year is 2082. This is what the kids are into.

Due Sunday, 01/18/2009.

[solarminite]

This week should be fun:

SOW #63: My New Instrument

Make a recording on a ‘new’ instrument; either one you’ve never played before, or an old one you have in a new way (ie, playing guitar with a violin bow, or piano with coins in the strings… you get the idea.)

Due Sunday, 01/25/2009.

[solarminite]

SOW #64: No notes!

Record a piece which doesn't contain notes.

Due Sunday, 02/01/2009.

[solarminite]

SOW #66: Self Destruct

Start with a piece recorded very recently, currently in progress, or still in gestation stage. "Ruin" it, and submit the remains.

Due Sunday, 02/15/2009.


http://www.soundsoftheweak.com