Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound from Coursera

Students of this course may try their hand at their own sound interventions and musical compositions, or simply focus on learning more about diverse musical traditions, sonic experimentation, and acoustic phenomena in everyday life. Designed by artist and Duke professor, Pedro Lasch, and UdK composer Mathias Hinke, this course is also co-taught by scholar and musician Jace Clayton (DJ Rupture) and curator Candice Hopkins (Documenta 14). The lectures link major artistic developments of recent decades to wider ideas about sound in specific social and spatial contexts.

Also included are guest presentations from key thinkers and practitioners, like: Christopher DeLaurenti, Jen Delos Reyes, Tina Haver Currin, Quran Karriem, Christina Kubisch, Thomas Kusitzky, Scott Lindroth, Mark Anthony Neal, Bill Seaman, and John Supko. As the ‘ART of the MOOC’ title implies, learners and participants are encouraged to treat the MOOC itself as a public art medium. This happens mostly through the course’s optional practical components, local project productions, global exchanges, and critical feedback. While no prior sound production or musical experience is required, projects also offer challenging options for advanced learners.

For other course offerings or language versions in this series, just search 'ART of the MOOC' in the Coursera catalog.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction & Analytical Concepts

This module introduces the four co-teachers of the course (Lasch, Clayton, Hinke, Hopkins), along with five analytical concepts that we will use throughout its sections and projects: Frequency, Perspective, Material Frame, Time Frame, and Concurrency. These concepts are designed to encompass a wide range of acoustic phenomena within spatial and social experience.

Elements of Sound and Social Practices

This lesson expands on specific terms or ‘sound elements’ that include tuning, resonance, silence, improvisation, rhythm, synchronization, duration, and timbre. It also addresses traditional tools in sound production, from musical instruments to sampling, auto-tunes, and other more recent technologies. The module concludes by exploring the role of sound in specific non-musical social settings and practices, such as clapping, fan culture, sports, traffic jams, mass demonstrations, and more.

Project: Playing with Sound Rules

The practical component of this section is optional, asking learners to choose a space with specific ‘sound rules’ and change or alter these rules through actual experimentation.

NOTATION, HOW MUSIC TRAVELS & PUBLIC SPACE

This lesson begins by focusing on the relationship between experimental practices and scores or notation systems. It also examines how sound has been used and understood by artists in specific urban contexts, such as ports, train stations, and airports, as well as rural settings, including forests, gardens, and the wider landscape. We conclude with an examination of how sound and music travel, be it through the populations who produce it, or the objects and digital files that are used to record and share it.

Project: Erase the Sound of a Space

The practical component is optional, inviting learners to ‘erase a sound in space’ through a range of possible strategies.

LISTENING AS PRACTICE, GLOBAL FORMS & THE SOUND OF THE NET

This lesson provides an overview of the methods and ideas from different schools of listening. It also presents a critical examination of the term ‘world music’ and how it has evolved in relation to economic and cultural globalization. With this global perspective in mind, the concluding portions of our lectures are dedicated to acoustic experience and musical experimentation on the net, the radio, cellular networks, and various social media, including all of the glitches, accidents, and failures we associate with these platforms.

Project: Experiment with Failure

The practical component of this module is optional, asking learners to produce their own experiment with media and technical failure.

Open Project

This module is optional and only for those who wish to put what they learned from the course into one final project that is more open and ambitious in scale. Two options are given for this, one being your most ambitious project, and the other based on the creation and use of your own musical instruments.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Meets demands in both the music and visual arts industry

Appropriate for both hobbyists and professionals

Provides hands-on, practical experience

Can be taken as a standalone course or as part of a larger series

Taught by renowned instructors in the field of contemporary art

Coursework may be challenging for beginners

Reviews summary

Globally popular mooc on sound

According to students, this course is very well received by learners. Amazing courses, they say, full of great insight about sound in our world today. Students describe the lectures as very intriguing and say that the course really broadens one's knowledge. Additionally, students value the included interviews with sound artists and say that the assignments are challenging but worthwhile.

Guest presentations are given by experts in their respective fields of sound.

"Amazing course with ample examples and very well organised guest presentations."

The course delves deeply into sound on a global scale.

"This course inspired me to go deep into learning sound and generative music."

"If I listened carefully to and explored the works of the sonic artists mentioned by the facilitators, I would be able to understand how the fundamentals can be used in multiple ways to create art."

Students work with real assignments to expand their knowledge.

"This course really unplug your "ears" & definitely broad your mind."

"The exercises given were challenging but worthwhile in terms of pushing one's boundaries."

Students are actively engaged in learning.

"This course really unplug your "ears" & definitely broad your mind."

"This course covers amazing ground in terms of exposure to fundamentals and contemporaneous experimenters with sound."

"The exercises given were challenging but worthwhile in terms of pushing one's boundaries."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound with these activities:

Read Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks

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This book provides a fascinating look at the neurological basis of music. It will help you to understand how music can affect the brain and how the brain processes music.

View Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,... on Amazon

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Read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague.

Practice identifying the different elements of sound.

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This activity will help you to develop your ability to identify the different elements of sound.

Browse courses on Sound

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Listen to a piece of music.
Identify the different elements of sound in the music, such as the pitch, timbre, and rhythm.
Repeat this process with different pieces of music.

Watch a tutorial on how to use a digital audio workstation.

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This activity will help you to learn how to use a digital audio workstation, which is a software program that allows you to record, edit, and mix music.

Browse courses on Digital Audio Workstation

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Find a tutorial on how to use a digital audio workstation.
Watch the tutorial.
Practice using the digital audio workstation.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Review the basics of music theory.

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This activity will help you to refresh your knowledge of music theory, which is essential for understanding music.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review your notes from a previous music theory course.
Take a practice quiz on music theory.
Watch a tutorial on music theory.

Create a playlist of your favorite songs that represent the different elements of sound.

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This activity will help you to understand the different elements of sound and how they can be used to create music.

Browse courses on Sound

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Choose a streaming service or platform.
Create a new playlist.
Add songs to the playlist that represent the different elements of sound.
Share the playlist with a friend or colleague.

Write a short essay about the role of sound in your life.

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This activity will help you to reflect on the role that sound plays in your life and how it can affect your emotions and experiences.

Browse courses on Sound

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Brainstorm a list of ideas.
Write an outline.
Write the essay.
Revise and edit the essay.

Attend a workshop on sound design.

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This activity will help you to learn about sound design and how it can be used to create different effects in music and other media.

Browse courses on Sound Design

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Find a workshop on sound design.
Attend the workshop.
Practice the techniques that you learned in the workshop.

Meet with a peer to discuss your progress and share ideas.

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This activity will help you to get feedback on your work and to learn from others.

Browse courses on Peer Review

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Find a peer to meet with.
Discuss your progress and share ideas.
Give and receive feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Art of the MOOC: Experiments with Sound will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Composer

Composers create original music, often for specific purposes, such as film scores, video game soundtracks, or concert pieces. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Composer, such as an understanding of notation systems, the ability to experiment with sound rules, and the knowledge of how to erase the sound of a space.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording, mixing, and mastering of music. They work with musicians, singers, and other audio professionals to create polished and professional-sounding recordings. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Music Producer, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to experiment with sound rules, and the knowledge of how to erase the sound of a space.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Musician

Musicians use their knowledge of music theory, composition, and performance to create and perform music. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Musician, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to experiment with sound rules, and the knowledge of how to erase the sound of a space.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician

Sound Engineer

Sound Engineers use their knowledge of sound and acoustics to design, install, and maintain sound systems. They also work with musicians and other audio professionals to record and mix music. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Sound Engineer, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to experiment with sound rules, and the knowledge of how to erase the sound of a space.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Engineer

Music Librarian

Music Librarians help people find and access music. They work in libraries, schools, and other institutions to maintain and organize music collections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and mental health. They work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Music Therapist, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to listen critically to music, and the knowledge of how to use music to promote healing and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Music Journalist

Music Journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They also interview musicians, review concerts, and cover music-related events. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Music Journalist, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to listen critically to music, and the knowledge of how to write about music in a clear and engaging way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Sound Designer

Sound Designers create and manipulate sound effects for film, television, and video games. They also work with musicians and other audio professionals to create immersive and realistic soundscapes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Music Teacher

Music Teachers teach music to students of all ages. They develop lesson plans, lead classes, and help students learn to play instruments, sing, and appreciate music. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Music Teacher, such as an understanding of sound elements and social practices, the ability to listen critically to music, and the knowledge of how to teach music in a fun and engaging way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Music Historian

Music Historians study the history of music. They research, write, and teach about music from all cultures and time periods.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Historian

Music Archivist

Music Archivists preserve and catalog music collections. They work in libraries, museums, and other institutions to ensure that music is available to the public.

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Music Agent

Music Agents represent musicians and help them to find work. They work with venues, promoters, and other professionals to book gigs and negotiate contracts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Agent

Music Publisher

Music Publishers represent musicians and composers and help them to get their music to the public. They work with record labels, music distributors, and other professionals to ensure that music is available to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Publisher

Music Promoter

Music Promoters promote and organize concerts, festivals, and other music events. They work with musicians, venues, and other professionals to ensure that events are successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Promoter

Music Director

Music Directors oversee the musical aspects of a production, such as a play, opera, or ballet. They work with musicians, singers, and other members of the creative team to ensure that the music is in sync with the rest of the production.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director