MUSI3041 assignment 2: Soundscape study
Nidhi Sajit Menon
3035666841
Hong Kong is a bustling, vibrant city, even at night. There is always an array of sounds in the background that we often do not notice. However, one small bubble of peace can be found at the Central Pier, one of my personal favourite places in Hong Kong. Listening to the lapping water while watching the skyline is a truly relaxing experience. So on one fine evening, I decided to observe the sounds at Central Pier, as well as some on my journey. I used my iPhone to record all the sounds.
First, as I got out of the mtr at Central station, I recorded the usual buzz of sounds around - the sound to alert passengers to alight from the train, the whirring of the escalators, and the various announcements made around the area.
This was Central MTR at 8:02 pm.
Second, I recorded the sounds around me as I visited Kikusan, a popular restaurant in Central - the diners having conversations, the movement of cutlery and dishes and of chairs being shifted. I wanted this busy environment to be a contrasting setting to the places I would later observe.
After this, I proceeded to the AIA ground, home of the observation wheel, carousel and more, at the entrance of which a speaker was blaring “Since you’ve been gone” by Aretha Franklin. Since it was a week night, there were not many people around at the carnival space, but there was still loud music trying to attract the attention of passers-by. Since this is a song of the 1960s-70s, it felt like a retro themed movie. Falling in the R&B category, her powerful vocals are supplemented by the guitar, drums and piano.
Sitting on the stairs leading down to the water at the pier is one of my favourite things to do on Hong Kong island. The waves come crashing rhythmically onto the stairs, creating a sense of peace. It functions similar to white noise, calming our racing minds and allowing us to focus on one thought process at a time. When I am in that space, I always feel a sense of gratitude for the present. I think it is also a very uniquely ‘Hong Kong’ experience, given the fact that we are surrounded by water and have so many piers or waterfront promenades around the various regions.
Central pier waves at 10:18 pm
A party boat docked when I was still there, and I managed to get a short recording of the loud music before attracting the suspicions of the people on board. Most of the junk boats, on which parties are regularly held, depart from and return to central pier. It is interesting to observe the people who alight, always looking slightly giddy. This crowd had not turned off their speakers yet, still enjoying the mood of the party.
There is very little chance that one can visit Central pier and not encounter a musician busking. Despite the time being 10:30 pm, there was a very enthusiastic and multi-skilled musician encouraging passers-by to gather around and listen to him. He was playing the guitar, performing popular Cantonese songs, and had set up his mic stand strategically next to the stairs leading down from the walkway to the piers. It was also right in front of one of the main piers, so when people alighted from the boat, he would be in their direct line of sight. The acoustics were also strategic; people on the walkway would be able to hear but not see him, since he was directly below, and would want to get a closer look.
On my way back, I took another recording at the mtr station, since it was now past 11:00 pm and the station as well as the train were relatively empty, so the sounds of the announcements were amplified. I recorded the arrival of the train, the sounds indicating the doors opening, and the warning before the closed.
Train departing from Central MTR at 11:10 pm
As I was exiting the Sai Ying Pun MTR station, I heard a cricket chirping loudly nearby and had to include that, too. Unfortunately, it stopped after two seconds, but I wanted to document that nights can be so quiet that they allow nature to make itself heard.
Cricket chirping outside Sai Ying Pun MTR exit A1 at 11:30 pm
Then, I caught the sound of four cars whizzing by. During the day, this road is extremely traffic-congested and there is a cacophony of sounds to be heard. However, at night, it is quite peaceful, and even the cars seem to be more subdued as they pass by.
Cars passing by Queen's Road East at 11:35 pm
Lastly, I had to capture one of the most heard sounds in Hong Kong - traffic signals!
Traffic signals on Queen's Road West at 11:40 pm
For me, this was a nice opportunity to observe the night soundscape of one of my favourite locations in the city and mark the stark contrast between day and night.
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