describing the contemporary sound environment

• Home
  • About this work
• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
• I. Introduction
• II. Analysis of the models
  • Aims and fields of application
  • Epistemological approach
  • Main Concepts and Models
• III. Methodologies
  • The Three Methodologies
  • The Synthesis
• IV. Case Study
  • Summary
  • Representative Locations
  • Acoustic Community
• V. Conclusion
• Appendices
  • B. Glossary
  • C. Sonic Mind Maps
  • D. Questions
  • E. Sequential Analysis
  • F. Sonic Identity Charts
  • G. Newspaper Article
• Audio Excerpts
• Bibliography

APPENDIX D - QUESTIONNAIRES AND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Questionnaire for Sonic Mind Maps

1) How would you describe the “sound” of Commercial Drive?
2) Could you think of specific locations that seem to possess a particular sound or ambience?
3) What do you like about the soundscape of Commercial Drive? What do you dislike? Why’s that?
4) Any particular sound memories of the neighbourhood? Any sound or location that may have a particular signification to you?
5) Describe your map. What are the main points of interests? Main sound sources? Sounds that have been unnoticed?
6) For how long have you been living / working on or around Commercial Drive?
Date:
Sex: M F
Age Group: 19-24 25-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 65+
Notes:


Phono-Reputational Inquiries Questions

1) Locations

a) Can you think of spaces located in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood that possess particular sound qualities (positive or negative)? These can be squares, parks, streets or alleys, cafes… (Use a map to locate the selected sites)
b) What do you think characterises these spaces? Are there any particular ambiences or sounds? Can you describe the sounds one may encounter in these locations?

2) Discussion of the soundmarks and other representative sound signals

a) Are there sounds that you think are “representative” of this neighbourhood?
b) What are the first sounds that come in mind when you think about the Drive? (again, situate them and describe them)
c) What would be the sonic signature of Commercial Drive?

3) Discussion of criteria of sonic comfort and sonic quality

a) Based on your personal or professional interests, what would be the criteria that would define situations of acoustic well-being?
b) Are some of these features found on the Drive?

4) Discussion of eventual themes found through the earlier analysis of sonic mind maps. These maps can also be used in the focus group to produce reactions or comments.


Reactivated Listening Questions

1) Questions:

a) Description of the sequence:

i) What do you hear?
ii) Describe the sounds and ambiences heard on the sequence.
iii) Can you guess where this sequence was recorded? When?
iv) Can you describe what happens in the sequence (activities heard, movements, discussions, etc.)?

b) Associations:

i) What does this sequence reminds you?
ii) Any memories triggered by the sequence? Have you ever experienced a similar listening situation (discuss the differences between the recording and the actual experience)?

c) Appreciation:

i) What do you like or dislike about this sequence? Why’s that?
d) Interpretation (meta-language)
i) Would you qualify this sequence as being representative of a comfortable space (acoustically)?
ii) Can you think of any criteria that would be necessary for a location to be acoustically pleasing?

2) Once the playback of all sequences is over, a final classification is made by the participant:

a) Classifying sequences by order of preference;
b) Choosing the sequences that are the most representative (of Commercial Drive) (one or two sequences);
c) Selecting the most important criteria of acoustic quality (in relation with the sequences heard and the comments made).