Workshops
Exploring Sound and Self: A Course in Deep Listening, Music Writing, and Intuitive Production
Ages 18 and up
May 3–24, 2023
6–8pm EST, Wednesdays
Pioneer Works; ricky sallay zoker
Instructor
ricky sallay zoker
Pricing
$160
Dates
3–24 May
What can deep listening teach us about our sonic inclinations and relationship to sound? What does our music taste say about what we want in music, and in general?
In this course, we will use deep listening, personal music writing, and intuitive music production to better understand ourselves.
Deep listening, in the Nameless Sound tradition, allows us to carefully distinguish sounds from one another and develop a non-judgemental orientation to music making. With a beginner’s mind, we are able to approach sound with curiosity and develop our unique sound signatures.
In addition to listening, we will write about and make music. Through writing about songs from our youth, we will reflect on our personal music histories to gain insight into who we are and what we like.
Using Bandlab, an easy-to-use music production application, we will work on a song throughout the class to complement our writing exercises.
No music production experience necessary.
This class will be held virtually.
About ricky sallay zoker
ricky sallay zoker (aka. YATTA) is a writer, musician, and educator. Under the experimental sound-making tutelage of David Dove at Houston’s Nameless Sound organization, YATTA developed a deep appreciation for free jazz and cultivated a musical improvisation practice. Over the years, they have shared the stage with musicians like Beverly Glenn-Copeland and The Sun Ra Arkestra, creating multimedia performances that tour nationally and globally. Ricky has published a chapbook with Pioneer Works’ Clocktower Radio, ran a writing series titled Big Memory through Poetic Research Bureau (LA), as well as written, directed and scored their short film, HIGHER LIFE, commissioned by Abrons Art Center. In 2019, under their music name, YATTA, Ricky wrote and produced their poetry album WAHALA (released on NYC-imprint PTP). The album served as the score for an hour-long self-written/performed theatrical production called An Episode: Ricky’s Room at The Shed. As an educator, Ricky has facilitated workshops and panels at The New School, The Brooklyn Museum, NYU, Vassar College, Bard College, and Cornell University. They hold an MFA in Music/Sound from the Milton Avery Graduate School for the Arts at Bard College.
General Information
This class is curated in partnership with The School of Making Thinking.