Traditional Japanese music is not seen as

Traditional Japanese music is not seen as something separate from nature. Many instruments seek to imitate aspects of nature. The orientation to timbre and color includes an appreciation for nonpitched sounds and the sounds of nature. Each sound in an ensemble can be appreciated, not just the blending of sounds that is strived for in much Western music. For this assignment, spend 10 minutes in any environment, even your own living room. Open a window if possible, or sit outside. For those 10 minutes, notice every sound you hear—a refrigerator or lightbulb humming, a car passing, wind through the trees (however softly), someone talking, a distant dog barking, birds chirping. Think of these sounds as music. After the 10 minutes has passed, do a short write-up of your experience (minimum word count: 200; please see rubric).

1. What was your experience?

2. How did listening to these sounds as music change your perception? Do you think you could listen to music that way, as natural sounds that each stand out?

3. Write down the various sounds you remember hearing.