Blog Entry 2: Planning my first sessions at Hilly Fields
[Date]

Why Hilly Fields

I chose Hilly Fields as the site for my prototype because it is a place I know well and love the sound of. [One or two sentences on a specific memory or sound there.] Working with one site that I can return to means I can compare sessions, and compare what I record with what I remember.

My memory-soundscape

Before recording, I wrote down what I think Hilly Fields sounds like. [Summarise it: the sounds you’re sure of, the ones you’re unsure of.] I’m treating this as my “before”. After each session I’ll listen back and ask which of these sounds I can actually find, and which turn out to be wrong or missing.

Planning the sessions

I plan to record across [three] sessions so I can compare conditions:

• Session 1, [morning]: a static recording from [spot on the hill] for [10 to 15 minutes], then a soundwalk along [route].
• Session 2, [late afternoon or dusk]: the same static spot, to hear how time of day changes things.
• Session 3, [weekend or different weather]: a busier or wetter session, to hear how people and weather change what I recognise.

Static recordings let me compare like with like, while soundwalking is closer to how I actually move through and remember the place, so I want both.

Equipment and decisions

I’ll be using [recorder and microphones, and why you chose them]. I’ve decided to [for example record in stereo, use a windshield, set a consistent gain] because [reason]. I know the microphone won’t hear what I hear, since placement and gain shape what gets captured, so I’ll note my settings every time. [Mention anything you’re unsure about or want to test.]

What I’ll note each time

For every session I’ll write down the date, time, weather, location and equipment settings, then a short reflection straight afterwards on what I heard, what I expected to hear, and how it felt. This is my evidence, and it follows Nelson’s point that practice research needs documented process (Nelson, 2013).

Practical points

Hilly Fields is a public park, so I need to think about [permissions, and being sensitive to people nearby who may be recorded]. I’ll also check [anything like opening times or events on the days I plan to go].

Next step

My first session is on [date]. I’m curious to find out whether [what you expect], and I may be surprised if [what might surprise you].

References

• Nelson, R. (2013) Practice as Research in the Arts. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.