How does Russolo understand sound and noise? Has this
changed your understanding of it?
Russolo believes that noise and sound has changed over time
and that sound is now different from sound made before the 19th
century because of the introduction of different types of machinery that can make
noise such as cars. Russolo uses the word sound-noise to describe making sounds
without the use of traditional instruments. He also talks about a futurist
orchestra in which the six categories of sound that he describes will be
incorporated and will expand beyond the traditional categories of instruments.
Basically what Russolo believes is that enjoyable sounds no longer consists of
sounds made by traditional instruments but can be made by sounds that we hear
from everyday life.
This has changed my understanding of sound and noise because
usually when I think of sounds that I want to listen to I think of music made
in traditional ways. I don’t often think of sounds made from cars or crowds of
people as something that I find enjoyable to listen to.
How is he using language to make this essay a sonic
experience?
In order to make his essay a sonic experience, he tries to
use many descriptive words that make it so that the reader can hear sounds in
their heads while they are reading his essay. He also uses lots of language that depicts
sounds such as “Pouah”, “Tatoumb” and “Zang-Toumb-Toumb” in order to make the experience
of reading his essay a sonic experience .
What are the “categories of noise” that he describes?
The six categories of noise that he describes for the
futurist orchestra are:
- Roars, Claps, Noises of Falling Water, Driving Noises, Bellows
- Whistles, Snores, Snorts
- Whispers, Mutterings, Rustlings, Grumbles, Grunts, Gurgles
- Shrill Sounds, Cracks, Buzzings, Jingles, Shuffles
- Percussive Noises Using Metal, Wood, Skin Stone, Baked Earth, Etc.
- Animal and Human Voices: Shouts, Moans, Screams, Laughter, Rattlings, Sobs
