A Soundwalk on the Boardwalk
Soundwalking is any excursion with the main purpose of listening to what is around you, opening your ears and taking in all the little sounds that make up your acoustic environment (Gutierrez, 2016). Soundwalks provide a good opportunity to reflect, relax, and appreciate life from a new perspective. This is precisely what I chose to do when I went on my soundwalk along the local boardwalk. The boardwalk is an out-and-back trail that stretches for 8.2 kilometres adjacent to Woodbine beach in the beaches, Toronto (AllTrails, 2023). I chose this location because it is only about a minute away from my house and seemed like the perfect spot to do a soundwalk.
During my soundwalk, I started by standing still and listening to the sounds around me at the colloquially-known “Purple Park” where the trail begins. I then began to walk along the boardwalk and listen to the changing soundscape. I paid attention to the different layers of sounds, such as the crashing of waves, the wind, distant traffic, and people talking. I also tried to notice any patterns or rhythms in the sounds.
Keynotes, Sound Signals, and Soundmarks
According to Schafer's framework, keynotes are the dominant sounds that shape a particular environment and help to define the overall tonality of what we hear (Lorway, 2023). During my soundwalk, some of the keynotes that I identified were the sounds of winds and cars passing by. While these sounds are prevalent all throughout the city, I found that the sounds of winds were much stronger and more frequent than what you would hear in most environments. Additionally, I also heard sound signals, which are sounds that communicate specific information and contrast with keynote sounds, such as a car horn or a dog barking (Schafer, 1993). For example, I heard a signal from a biker on the recreation trail who rang their bell, as well as a siren from an ambulance passing by on Queen street. Before learning about the Shaferian view on sound, I had never thought about the distinction of sound signals. Thinking back, I realize that both of those sound signals I heard were serving the same specific purpose; warning people that their source is coming, and likely moving at high speeds. Finally, I noticed soundmarks, which are unique sounds that identify a particular environment (Schafer, 1993). The main soundmark I Identified was the sound of the water from lake Ontario. The sound of the lake is interesting, as its prevalence as a soundmark is informed by a few conditions. For instance, how close the listener is to the water, the strength of the winds which control the waves, and the sounds of people enjoying their time on the beach.
Schafer's terminology for LoFi and HiFi refers to the quality and clarity of the sounds. LoFi sounds are low-quality and are often associated with noise, while HiFi sounds are high-quality and are associated with music or other loud, clear sounds (Schafer, 1993). During my soundwalk, I would say there was a mix of Hi-fi and Lo-fi sounds. In particular, the sound of the lake was at times HiFi (when winds were calm and water could be heard more clearly) and LoFi (when winds picked up and obscured the sounds of waves). Overall I would say that most of the sounds I encountered were Hifi, especially the signal sounds I heard like the emergency siren.
There was not much evidence of acoustic design at the boardwalk, however, I did notice this structure located between the boardwalk and the recreational trail:
The structure is unnamed and I am unsure of its purpose, but I believe it is likely a temporary shelter used to shield people from the rain or intense sun. During warmer seasons, it is frequently used by groups of people doing yoga classes and callisthenics, when it is cold, you may find homeless people taking refuge inside. When inside the structure, I noticed that it creates echo and reverberation. I remember that the floor of the structure was replaced years ago, and is now made of some sort of synthetic, grippy, elastic material. I suspect that this material was likely chosen as it is more comfortable and less slippery than the previous concrete flooring. However, it is possible that this material may also have been chosen for its effects on acoustics, as the elasticity and softness of the material may help to reduce echo within the structure and make the reverb of the environment more dry.
Interaction with Environment
During my soundwalk, I interacted with my environment through sound by being mindful of my own footsteps, breathing, and movements. The sounds that I made and heard changed depending on where I walked and the surface I was walking on. For instance, the sounds of my footsteps changed considerably depending if I was walking on the boardwalk (wood), the recreation trail (asphalt), the grass between them, or the beach. I also tried to listen actively to the sounds around me from the environment, focusing on specific sounds and trying to understand their sources and meanings. This experience made me realize how much we tend to ignore the sounds of our environment and how listening actively can change our perception of space and place.
Making Meaning/Impact of Soundwalking
Through my soundwalk, I learned that sound plays a crucial role in shaping our perception of the environment. Sound can evoke emotions, memories, and associations that are deeply personal and subjective. I have a lot of memories from the boardwalk, as I have lived in the beaches for most of my life. However, throughout all my years of living here and going to the beach, I realize I have seldom taken the time to listen to my environment and appreciate what is around me. I have learned that active listening can help us develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around us. I believe that if everyone practiced listening closely to their environment, it could have a significant impact on the world as people may begin to appreciate their environment from a new perspective.
AllTrails. (2023). The Boardwalk and Woodbine Beach | Map, Guide - Ontario, Canada | alltrails. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/the-boardwalk-and-woodbine-beach
Gutierrez, A. (2016). What is a Soundwalk? Vimeo. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://vimeo.com/186492415
N, Lorway. (2023). Sound Media (Week 1, RTA 907 - Sound Media, Toronto Metropolitain University). Schafer, R. M. (1993). The soundscape: Our sonic environment and the tuning of the world. Inner Traditions Bear & Company.
