The following is an introduction to Translating the Language of Music, a multimedia qualitative examination exploring musical conversations.

This four part series was created by Steven Davy for a graduate school thesis project at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.

Each chapter is an effort to add to an overall understanding of how communication takes place between musicians and with the audience in the process of playing and creating music.  For more about the project’s methodology stop by the About page.

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 Gavan discusses his experiences playing bass backing up several bands and the language of music created as musicians come together from various backgrounds.

And now… Chapter 1 | Expanding Language Boundaries

A few days prior to our interview, I went to Bell’s Brewery to observe Gavan playing bass for Mark Duval’s Two Track Mind. Gavan opened the show before Two Track Mind took the stage and played a few songs on guitar. For a little clip of Gavan’s performance click here.

For chapter two I interviewed John Campos, a professor of recording theory and techniques at Western Michigan University.

Campos discusses the unusual environment of the recording studio where distractions of all shapes manifest and impact communication between musicians.

He also brings a unique perspective to the project as a longtime musician in the Kalamazoo-based band The Corn Fed Girls.

For chapter three, I was allowed to observe a practice session ahead of a performance later that night in Kalamazoo, Mich. with musicians Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. Also at the practice was percussionist Mike Shimmin and bassist Andrew Kratzat.

During the practice, I recorded video and audio focusing attention on Bernard and Erlewine, a duo in a committed personal and creative relationship. Following the practice, we sat down for an interview.

I showed them portions of the video during their practice and had them describe their musical communication in their own words.

In the final chapter of this examination, I interview percussionist and trained music therapist Carolyn Koebel.

During a previous evening at Bell’s Brewery, I stopped by to observe Koebel playing percussion for Mark Duval’s Two Track Mind, one of the many bands in which Koebel plays.

In our meeting a couple of days later, Koebel discusses her engagement, not only with her musical collaborators, but also with the audience.

Jay Gavan, bassist for The Brothers Kalamazov and The Red Sea Pedestrians among several other musical projects, suggests that the longer a group of musicians play together, the easier and more dynamic a musical conversation can be.

The Brothers, by and large, only play together in a live setting. It is on stage that some songs are created and take shape. Gavan says the communication in the group is what makes this creative feat possible. He says this live musical conversation is also one of the most fun things he does musically.

Below is another preview of the Translating the Language of Music documentary news project here on Exploring Conversations. I will continue to post these pieces as the piece grows in an effort to open up the journalism process.

Join the conversation with your comments below or share with your favorite social media.

Below is a video clip of Jay Gavan performing with Ira Cohen at Bell’s Brewery.

Percussionist and musical therapist Carolyn Koebel suggests that bands following a rigid outlook on song structure are missing a deeper connection to the live performance and music communication.

Heightened communication requires not only that the musicians engage freely with their songs and with each other, but it also requires a full engagement with the audience. Koebel calls this completing the circuit.

Below is another preview of the Translating the Language of Music documentary news project here on Exploring Conversations. I will continue to post these pieces as the piece grows in an effort to open up the journalism process.

Join the conversation with your comments below or share with your favorite social media.

John Campos

As another preview piece while the documentary is being stitched together, here are a few segments from a conversation with Campos where he talks about what a strange environment the recording studio is and how he works with musicians helping them find their natural place where communication can occur.

(image: John Campos performing with the Corn Fed Girls)

Miller said that every bandmember seemed to fit with the instruments of their choice and that this synergy helped foster the early creation of the band’s musical conversations.

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Percussionist Mike Shimmin has traveled the world to experience first hand drumming from the local masters of their craft.

Shimmin has been invited to sit in during drumming sessions in Africa, Europe and among other regions with unique drumming traditions.

The Michigan-based musician suggests that immersion is critical to translating music and exploring the language of percussion from around the world.

Listen to other Compendiums