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foundation · Oliveros Deep Listening / Schafer soundscape

Sound Map

Guided environmental listening — expand your ear beyond music

Close your eyes and listen to your environment for 5-10 minutes. The app guides you through prompts: What's the closest sound? The farthest? Is anything rhythmic? Pitched? After listening, log what you heard. This develops the quality of attention that accelerates all other ear training.

How it works

  1. 1.
    Find a quiet-ish space
    Doesn't need to be silent — anywhere with sounds works.
  2. 2.
    Close eyes, guided prompts
    App delivers timed prompts: 'What is the closest sound you hear?' (30s) → 'What is the farthest?' (30s) → 'Can you hear anything rhythmic?' (30s) → 'Anything pitched?' (30s) → 'Listen to everything at once' (2 min)
  3. 3.
    Log sounds
    After listening, list what you heard. App stores your sound logs over time to track growing awareness.
  4. 4.
    Reflect
    Did you notice anything new? Any sound you've never consciously heard before?

Cadence

~10 min · 2× per week · 4 weeks to competency
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