Making
a Relaxation CD (aka Visualizing Golf)...
I thought it would be fun
to let you in on the initial construction of a 'virtual dream'. A kind
of behind the scenes look at how I go about constructing some of these
dreamscapes. When coming up with an idea I first consider if the
scenario is relaxing and I make sure, certainly before I begin, I know
ahead of time where it will end. This is not always the case.
Tornado Alley is a rather intense
dreamscape that I did as a request. But, in general, the numero
uno factor is relaxation (i.e can one fall asleep to it?). My brother is
an avid golfer and the subject came up as to whether I could make a
relaxation recording utilizing that scenario. I'm a golfer too just not
anywhere to the degree my brother is. I mean three times a week? Now,
THAT'S a golfer. Anyhoo, I mapped it out. I scribbled a diagram of what
I would need to visualize to pull this off. (yes, I know I can't draw)
Drawing it out helps me
understand the scale of the project. It helps in understanding the
movement of the piece and serves as a reminder of the direction
the sounds come from. The wooded area is to the left and the ocean (this
is a seaside golf course) is to the right. Ergo, water sprinklers and
some birds... left. Seagulls, waves, and other seaside sounds... right.
I usually make a list of sounds I think I will need. Obviously golf bag
sounds (I used my own), ambient sounds and so on. I thought early on
that this would be an early morning round but quickly changed my mind
for the simple reason that more sounds can be found as evening falls.
The real work begins
after I have assembled most of the sounds I will need . Some virtual
dreams have as few as 20 sounds in them, others have well over 100
different sounds. This process can take a a day or upwards of a week (as
was the case in Jumbo Jet) depending on
the complexities involved. There are almost always some sounds I did not
anticipate needing so I have a makeshift Foley lab set up in the studio.
The Scenario: Golfing
alone you are the last one on a seaside golf course at dusk. You are on
the par five 18th hole. As you get closer to the last green the ocean
comes into full view. After finishing your round with a birdie you
observe the sunset over the sea from a vista near the clubhouse.
Most of virtual dreams
follow a paradigm. 5 to 15 minutes of sounds one can visualize followed
by relaxing ambient nature sounds. This is to assure relaxation and
sleep onset as most people fall asleep within 15 minutes. There are
exceptions. Stormy Beach and
Bedtime Storm have very little
visualization and are almost all atmosphere.
Another thing I have to
do is copyright my stuff. I do this electronically by uploading the
soundscape to the Library of Congress via
copyright.gov. Then the work on
the webpages begin. This is my least favorite part. Fortunately
everything is templated and all I need to concern myself with is
descriptions and graphics. When everything is completed it goes up onto
the big board and possibly get categorized. Maybe I will start a
'sports' sleep sound page in the future. Heck, I just did
White Water, about kayaking. I have a whole new sports theme
thing happening... although purely by coincidence.
So, that's it. Will it be
a big seller? Maybe. Maybe not. I don't go into these recordings
thinking like that. But will it be relaxing and, moreover, can you fall
asleep to it? Now that I really can and do
guarantee.
Brad McBride
Return
to Sleep
Thoughts
