Learning from looking at sound: Using multimedia spectrograms to explore world music

This article details the use of multimedia spectrogram displays for visualizing and understanding music. A section on foundational considerations presents similarities and differences between Western musical scores and spectrograms, in particular the benefit in avoiding Western notation when using music from a culture where representation through the use of a score may misrepresent that culture. Four examples from the author’s own teaching and research detail applications of multimedia spectrograms. A tutorial provides guidance for generating spectrograms using the free program Audacity. The article closes with three extension projects suitable for classroom teachers to use with their students. Copyright © 2011 NAfME: National Association for Music Education.