Physical Music in a Social Environment.

Over the winter break I observed how music is listened to within different social environments. I noted some distinctive differences in each environment.

Party

• Popular tracks that everyone recognised.
• Music played from several devices (mostly iPods or iPhones).
• Music played through a docking station with speakers.
• These devices were swapped when one did not contain a specific track.
• Device was never left unattended.
• No audio quality complaints.
• Occasional queue to put on a specific track.
• Conversations regarding the current track.
• Healthy and fun arguments over which track should be next.
• Boisterous and loud environment.

Relaxing

• New music that people wanted to share.
• Devices tended to be laptops.
• Music was played from inbuilt laptop speakers.
• Music often played from YouTube with emphasis that the video should be watched as well.
• Other members of the group were reminded of other track when listening to another.
• Something else normally playing in the background (TV, Movie or Console Game).
• Relaxed and quiet environment.

I’m still waiting on my cultural probes to be returned and to conduct a several informal interviews which will hopefully yield more information.