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What is a sound walk?

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Here at walk · listen · create, we are the home of walking artists and artist walkers. But, we have a soft spot for sound walks. Hence our Sound Walk September Awards.

But, what is a ‘sound walk’, really?

A sound walk, or walking piece, is any walk that focuses on listening to the environment, with or without the use of technology, or adds to the experience through the use of sound or voice. This can include a scripted or choreographed score or work that has additional audio elements.

Sound walks fall within the plain that is bounded by sound, place, and technology. The ‘technology’ could be a smart phone, pen & paper, anything that can be used as a tool, or no technology whatsoever.
In our FAQ, you find some examples of what this could mean in practice:

  • A listening walk, as a live event.
  • A listening walk, with instructions to enable someone to take such a walk independently.
  • An audio-enhanced walking piece, as a live event, in which participants may be required to speak / sing / make music or sounds or listen to such elements.
  • A walk, enhanced through audio, transmitted through headphones.
  • A geo-located walking piece in which participants trigger recordings to which they listen via headphones.

But, really, in the end, it’s up to you. Check out our library of walking pieces for inspiration.

slare

To saunter, to be slovenly (The Dialect of Cumberland – Robert Ferguson, 1873). Rarely used in Cumbria now but has a meaning of to walk slowly, to amble, to walk with no particular purpose. Used for example in the ballad Billy Watson’s Lonnin written by Alexander Craig Gibson of Harrington, Cumbria in 1872 “Yan likes to trail ow’r t’ Sealand-fields an’ watch for t’ commin’ tide, Or slare whoar t’Green hes t’ Ropery an’ t’ Shore of ayder side “(Translation: One likes to trail over to Sealand Fields and watch for the coming tide, Or slare over to where the Green has the ropery and the Shore on the other side) Billy Watson’s Lonning (lonning – dialect for lane) still exists and can be found at Harrington, Cumbria.

Added by Alan Cleaver

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