Analyzing sound

Genre

What kind of sound is it? Is it speech, music, or a noise associated with a particular object, for example?

Features

How would you describe the sound? Is it loud or quiet? Does it have a high or a low pitch? Is its pacing fast or slow? Is it in the background or in the foreground? Are certain sounds louder or quieter than others?

Purpose and audience

What is the purpose of the sound? Does it provide atmosphere? Is it accompanying something else, such as an image? Or is it the main or only mode of communication?

Who is the intended audience for the sound? A single listener with headphones? A room full of people? Children or adults? Experts or nonexperts?

Meaning

How do genre, features, purpose, and audience work together to convey a message? How do you interpret the use of sound? (Keep in mind that your interpretation—your take on the meaning—may differ from the composer’s intended message.)