Soundpainting: The Art of Live Composition
with instructional video by Walter Thompson

NEW: Soundpainting Workbooks are now also available as PDF downloads – see Shop in the Menu

Soundpainting: The Art of Live Composition is a comprehensive study of Walter Thompson’s live composing sign language, Soundpainting. Workbook 1 is the first in the series and uses 43 gestures in the music discipline. Workbook 2 takes an in-depth approach to furthering your skills as a Soundpainter in the music discipline and comprises 75 additional gestures. Soundpainting Workbook 3 – For Actor and Dancers comprises all the gestures of Workbooks 1 and 2 plus additional gestures specific to dance and theatre. Soundpainting Workbook 4 – Soundpainting with Visual Artists will be available in the summer of 2018.

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Workbook 1               Workbook 2                    Workbook 3
Music – Level 1          Music – Level 2              Theatre & Dance – Level 1 and 2
                   

Workbook 4

Soundpainting – A Language of Creativity For Music Educators

Through the series, Thompson clearly outlines how to use Soundpainting. Topics covered in Workbook 1 include an introduction to the structure of the Soundpainting language; how to prepare an ensemble for Soundpainting; the basic 43 gestures, what each one means, how to use them, and how to physically sign them. Your support video will be emailed to you and it is also available to view at www.soundpainting.com on the Media page – it is the first video on the right-hand side of the page. There is also a performance by Walter Thompson and The Walter Thompson Orchestra included on the video. The video is available to view at www.soundpainting.com on the Media page – it is the first one on the right-hand side of the page.

Soundpainting Workbook 2 – The Art of Live Composition is a continuation of the concepts in Workbook 1 as well as exploring new concepts and gestures. Workbook 2 also includes a more in-depth discussion of the Structure of Soundpainting, the usage of notated material – called Palettes in Soundpainting – an additional 75 gestures and more. Your support video will be emailed to you and it is also available to view at www.soundpainting.com on the Media page – it is the second video. The gestures on the video are signed by Walter Thompson and performed by the Borderline Ensemble based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The is also a bonus performance by Walter Thompson with guest Soundpainter Jennifer Rahfeldt.

Workbook 3

Soundpainting Workbook 3 – The Art of Live Composition for Theatre and Dance by Walter Thompson. Workbook 3 is a comprehensive study of the Soundpainting language comprising 135 gestures pertaining to theatre and dance. Workbook 3 is divided in Sections 1 and 2 with a direct relation to the gestures of Workbook 1 and 2 for Musicians. Though many of the gestures of Workbook 3 are the same as the gestures of Workbooks 1 and 2 the difference is they specifically address how the gestures are used with actors and dancers. Workbook 3 also includes additional gestures and concepts specific to theatre and dance. Workbook 3 includes a video showing how the gestures are signed and the responses they produce. Members of the The Batik Soundpainting Orchestra (BSO) perform on the video. At the end of the video is a performance where Soundpainter Eric Chapelle (Soundpainter for the BSO) joins Walter Thompson in the composition. Your support video will be emailed to you and it is also available to view at www.soundpainting.com on the Media page – it is the third one down on the right-hand side of the page.

Workbook 4

Soundpainting Workbook 4 – Workbook 4 offers you some initial ideas on how to get started Soundpainting with Visual Artists and includes a Glossary of Gestures addressing the signs from Workbooks 1, 2 and 3 as they pertain to the Visual Artists. Though the main focus of Soundpainting Workbook 4 is the visual arts, I have also included some suggestions and ideas on how to rehearse and compose with a multidisciplinary group – which would include one or more Visual Artists. It is important to have a knowledge of the signs in Workbooks 1, 2 and 3 in order to use Soundpainting Workbook 4. Workbook 4 includes a support video.

Soundpainting – A Language of Creativity For Music Educators

Soundpainting – A Language of Creativity For Music Educators – by Mark Harris and Walter Thompson (PDF 5MB) This workbork introduces Soundpainting to music directors and comprises the basic Soundpainting language as it pertains to music education in the United States. Your support video will be emailed to you and it is also available to view at www.soundpainting.com on the Media page – it is the fourth video down on the right-hand side of the Media page.

The Workbook is only available in English and is in PDF form.
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Note: A printed version is available by request. Email info@soundpainting.com