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.

Click on the media player below to begin and thanks for stopping by.

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.

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