Sound Painting with Walter Thompson

I had the privilege of doing some Sound Painting workshops with Walter Thompson in April 2016 in Montpellier, France and then to perform in a concert using what I had learnt along with 17 musicians and artists. Here is a recording of the concert. I played the electric keyboard. I had previously also taken some Sound Painting workshops with some local Sound Painters in Montpellier who are a part of the Koa Collective.

According to Walter Thompson, "sound painting is the universal multidisciplinary live composing sign language for musicians, actors, dancers, and visual Artists. Presently (2017) the language comprises more than 1500 gestures that are signed by the Soundpainter (composer) to indicate the type of material desired of the performers. The creation of the composition is realized, by the Soundpainter, through the parameters of each set of signed gestures. The Soundpainting language was created by Walter Thompson in Woodstock, New York in 1974."

I think there are many ways we can use Sound Painting in music therapy. Firstly, being a non verbal language, we can use the signs and gestures to engage clients who may not be able to speak or access verbal language. Here, Im thinking about work with children with autism or older people who have lost speech, or even adolescents who just do not feel like speaking about their issues.

Secondly, it can also work on concentration, the different types of attention and develop musical improvisation in all population groups as the clients must be focused, anticipate specific signed gestures and then to respond accordingly.

In discussing with Walter during the training workshops, he said that I could simplify the gestures and/or use less gestures when using Sound Painting with young children. The key is to embrace spontaneity, and to be fully present in the moment. Personally, I really enjoyed the fact that no performance is ever the same. Instead, it highlights the creativity of the individual, and also as a group right in the moment.

How do you think you could use Sound Painting in music therapy? I'd be interested to hear your experiences and comments.

For more about Walter Thompson, Sound Painting and training opportunities, please take a look here: http://www.soundpainting.com

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