Steven Feld's “Voices of The Rainforest” Revisited

Steven Feld of “Voices of The Rainforest” fame has admittedly condensed the 24 hours of the Kaluli's Papua New Guinea soundscape in the space of one hour. Perceiving the reasons why one might opt for the exclusion of planes, radios and such from the recording may be best understood in consideration of the following question. Do you hear this exclusion as productive or problematic? As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the exclusion can be seen as both productive or problematic depending upon one's purpose in study of the sounds and indigenous music (fro example, the Huun-Huur-Tu) in the first place. If the goal is to study the Kaluli people of the region from inside their culture in terms of understanding their musical culture as they significantly perceive it, then perhaps the ambient noise of radios and such should be excluded – and therefore is productive. If the goal is to peek in on this Papua New Guinean culture and interpret what is seen from an outsider's viewpoint, as a clinical academician, then the exclusion of extra-noise is problematic. The basic discussion involves these two major ideas with supporting citations. 

It might be said that the anthropologist's attitude and reason for the quest is equally important as the interpretation of any information gathered. Music in the context of the anthropological perspective is primarily ethnographic at its core. Steven Feld posits that his intention in an exploration among the Kaluli peoples of Papua New Guinea is to “show how an analysis of modes and codes of sound communication leads to an understanding of the ethos and quality of life” in their society (p. 3). When you think about its Feld is truly seeking to learn about Kaluli society's communication, networks, family arrangements, and food source gathering or styles. So, in this case, omitting extra soundscape interference like planes or radios is productive. The reason why is because Feld is seeking a deeper comprehension from their point of view and song-sounds. You can tell Feld is very concerned to this end when explains the passion in certain human singing as “overcome with sadness and grief” (p. 6). It seems clear that no matter where we are, either high-tech or primitive setting, humans are humans. 

There is a case to be made for the exclusion of extra-noise as being problematic. In the case of an anthropologist wherein the clinical academic aspects are more important, the exclusion of planes or radios from the soundscape is problematic. If what is being studied has a broader, generalized sweep such as thinking about social linguistics, the connection of music and language, mood and philosophy – there is no reason to screen other noises. In this case researchers are looking at the meaning of music in more general terms. For example, Feld and Fox collaborated on a writeup in October 1994 which appeared in “Annual Review Of Anthropology” acknowledging the existence of bias and yet inform that: “Despite criticisms, generative musical syntax has stimulated a reemergent psychomusicology focused on the cognitive bases of musical knowledge...” (p. 30). Looking at the situation as being either productive or problematic depends upon the context one is approaching. 

In conclusion, Feld's work of rainforest sounds of people and birds is significant and fascinating. One particular birdsong by the Seyak Butcherbird has a strong lilting purity all its own, and so full of life. Sadly, in our modern-day concrete jungles and rushing about we may not notice the beauty of many birds' voices. Their voices are true songs. The exclusion of other noise may not be an option beyond filtering it out in a recording. Musicology is an amazingly interesting study into all life, both human, plant, and animal. Music, soundscape, and form will forever be a vital part of everyone's lives. 

Works Cited

Bosavi Papua New Guinea Rainforest Sounds. Rainforest Soundwalks: Ambiences of Bosavi Papua New Guinea. Steven Feld & Earthear, 2001. CD. Retrieved from http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stevenfeld1

Feld S, Fox A. MUSIC AND LANGUAGE. Annual Review of Anthropology [serial on the Internet]. (1994, Oct), [cited June 9, 2013]; 23(1): 25-53. Available from: Academic Search Premier.

Feld, Steven. Sound and sentiment: Birds, weeping, poetics, and song in Kaluli expression. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1990. Print.