Fragments of Feeling

During our time spent learning about Semiotics, I learned that it applies to sounds as well. A sort of Sonic Semiotics if you will. Specifically, we will be taking a short look into musical sampling, and how it can relate to the field in question.

Musical sampling refers to the process of taking a sound sample from a pre-existing recording, and then using it in some form in a different song. Therefore, when sampling, some of the characteristics and associated icons of the track will carry over to the new recording. The process of sampling older records can lead to continuing an existing signification due to the recycling of the clip used.

Here is a great example, and a chance for me to wax lyrical about one of my favourite musical acts, Daft Punk. The French duo are known for their use of sampling in their records, especially in their album Discovery, which is heavily sampled throughout.
Here is the track High Life, which I believe to be one of the best uses of sampling in their records:

The track uses a sample of Tavares – Break Down For Love, which can be heard right from the start of the track. Now, unless you are familiar with the sampled track, it would be easy to hear these clipped sounds and not make the connection about where they came from. The way that Daft Punk have rearranged the sample makes it so that it is quite distinctly different from the original source. You could easily be forgiven for not recognising it as a sample at all, given the production quality.

Now Daft Punk's handling of this sample is basically a use of existing signification. They have alluded to Break Down For Love, without overtly revealing itself as having referenced them. In doing so, they have made a hidden link to the icons of the past, an homage to the music that was popular and loved by the duo as children. Myself, having listened to the track for years before, only recently learned the origin of the sample used.

The funny thing is that now I believe the song itself is a musical symbol and icon. Daft Punk have become famous for their unique sound, with many of their tracks having become classics, and as such, I think that the song is both referencing an existing signification, whilst also becoming its own. The use of sampling older records brings a nostalgic edge to the music for listeners that remember those times, whilst younger listeners will discover new music from the past, should they choose to investigate into the samples used.

To conclude, musical sampling can be used to reference music and symbols from the past, and use them to open a window into icons and inspirations from times gone by. The origin of where samples come from is something which I find very stimulating, as for me it adds a whole new dimension to the music that I love. It brings a new story to the song, as I can sit and wonder why they chose a certain record to sample, or what clicked in their head to figure out where to cut and rearrange sounds to produce the sonic alchemy that ends up in their recordings. 

If you want to look further into the use of sampling in songs, check this site out: 

WhoSampled.com

Time O' The Signs

Every day, we see loads of symbols. We see them everywhere, and they are so commonplace that usually we don't even notice them. However, within your mind, you are subconsciously interpreting these signs and their meaning. Your brain needs to recognise these signs, understand the context in which they are being presented, and then deal with it accordingly. The attempt to categorise and understand this process is known as Semiotics.

Semiotics is basically the fancy way to say 'the study of signs'. The concept was first dreamt up by Ferdinand de Saussure (1857 – 1913). He wrote of a science 'which studies the role of signs as part of social life' . Saussure believed that research into the meanings of these signs and symbols was an important part of figuring out some of the processes that occur within our mind when dealing with signs.

In the early days of Semiotics, Saussure created a model that states what makes a sign. It was in two parts. First came the 'Signifier', which is the form that the sign takes, and secondly, the 'Signified', which is the concept that it represents. Combine the two, and you have a sign. In the more modern interpretation of this method, the signifier is now known as the material i.e. physical form of the sign, something which exists and can be seen or felt.

Modern approaches to the field draw upon the work and ideas of the key figures in the subject, Ferdinand de Saussure, Charles Sanders Pierce, and Umberto Eco. The approach commonly used today lists signs as existing within three different forms:

Firstly, we have the Symbol, were the sign has broken any conventional ties with reality, and its form has moved into the realm of abstraction. Symbols require knowledge about how they connect to the signified, as in you must understand the relationship between the two. To demonstrate this, I went on a photographic expedition to gather some examples to show you. Here are some Symbols. 

 

Secondly, comes the Index, which is directly connected in some way to the signified. This is one of the harder concepts to wrap your head around. A great example we were given in our lecture is that smoke is an index to fire, a signal which tells of the Signified. Take a look at a sample of some Index's.

Lastly, we have the Icon. For something to be an Icon, it must resemble or imitate the signified. It needs to share some of the quality’s of the signified, usually visually, but also in other ways, such as how something sounds, or feels. Icons can also be illustrative or representational, such as a photograph. To help visualise this, here are some examples I found earlier.

I must point out that I have barely scratched the surface of Semiotics in my short dialogue here. There is quite a bit of history to consider with this subject, and lots of research and information that I cant really cover here without this turning into a rambling history lesson. Its worth reading a bit more on Saussure, Pierce, and Eco, if this Semiotics stuff floats your boat. I found it to be an interesting concept to consider and read into a little bit, but personally I can't see myself losing too much sleep over the subject in the future. 

Here are some links to further reading on the subject:

Semiotics For Beginners 
Ferdinand de Saussure
Charles Sanders Peirce 
Umberto Eco