ELECTROACOUSTIC
SOUND BATHS

What is a "sound bath"? 

A Sound bath is a practice in which the listener/audience relaxes in a comfortable pose (often laying down) and allows the sound waves of the musical performance to "wash" over them. Traditional sound baths are performed using instruments like singing bowls, tuning forks, chimes, gongs, chanting, etc. The intent of a sound bath is to help the listener to relax, heal and also to enter states of trance or meditation if that's their intention. 

​

What does "Electroacoustic" mean?  

Electroacoustic is a genre of Western art music in which composers use technology to manipulate the timbres of acoustic sounds, sometimes by using audio signal processing, such as reverb or harmonizing, on acoustical instruments". More recently, this strict definition has been blurred by the use of new music technology. Today, you might instead define electroacoustic as, "combining human performance and electronic manipulation".

​

So, the Electroacoustic Sound Bath makes use of traditional sound healing crystal bowls, exotic world percussion instruments, synthesizers, homemade drone instruments, feedback loops, resonators and various other effects to create a sound and space that allows for deep relaxation, meditation and healing. All of the instruments are played and manipulated live, there are no recordings or saved preset sounds/patterns in the electronic instruments. They were all chosen for their somewhat unpredictable nature that often yields surprising and beautiful results. Whether the electronics are setup to "play" with feedback (that noisy "hum" or "screech" you've probably heard over a loudspeaker or two) or create droning sounds by tuning the instrument by hand to s specific key or chord; the "impermanence" of the setup makes every performance a truly unique experience.

​

What are the benefits?

Primarily, a sound bath allows listeners to relax. Simple enough. But, the list of health benefits linked to the heightened and prolonged state of relaxation one can achieve through this practice over time is a long one. Amongst those benefits are lowered stress and anxiety levels, improving mood and well-being, a better night's sleep, heightening focus and energy, a feeling of rejuvenation, an overall healthier lifestyle and more.

​

So, is this "Electroacoustic Sound Bath" a "Sound Healing"?

That's debatable depending on who you speak to. I would say "somewhat".  A sound healing is usually a one on one session performed by the practitioner to target very specific areas of the body and spirit with very specific audio frequencies to promote healing of some sort. A "sound bath" can also include those frequencies and can also have similar effects. But, I like to look at the two experiences like the difference between a prescription drug and a healthy breakfast. One is more specific while the other is more of a wholistic approach.