SoundSoundAmerican MemoryAmerican MemoryPrimary SourcesPrimary Sources

SoundSoundAmerican MemoryAmerican MemoryPrimary SourcesPrimary Sources

ByByRobert PettisRobert Pettis

Musical Primary Sources

VocalExample: Example: Old Sam Finley had a pigOld Sam Finley had a pig

InstrumentalExample: Example: Recollections of 1861-65 Recollections of 1861-65 (Trumpet Solo)(Trumpet Solo)

Sound effectsExample: Example: Imitations of AnimalsImitations of Animals

Nonmusical Primary Sources

SpeechesExample: Example: Safeguard America!Safeguard America!

NarrativesExample: Example: The Arkansas Traveler

Interviews/Oral HistoryExample: Example: Charles Mangrum's first Charles Mangrum's first day at Kalkstein Silk Millsday at Kalkstein Silk Mills

Collections that Contain Sound Files

Handout: American Memory Collections: Sound Recordings

Note:Note: = Collection Connections available

with teaching resources

Sound File Formats

Types of Formats in American Memory1. .wav (WaveForm)2. .mp3 (MPEG 2, Layer 3)3. .rm .ra .ram .rmj .rms (RealAudio)

Handout: Listening to and Using American Memory Audio Clips

Audio Players

• RealPlayerRealPlayer (.rm .ra .ram .rmj .rms)

• QuickTime Media Player (.wav .mp3)note: Requires downloading the file first.

• Windows Media Player (.wav .mp3)note: Requires downloading the file first.

Downloading Sound Files

1. Identify the file format you will use2. Find the item in American Memory3. Right-click the link to the file.4. Left-click on Save Target As.5. In the dialog box that appears,

browse to the location where you would like to save your sound file.

Analyzing Sound Primary

Resources Activity

Handouts• Sound Clip Analysis Activity Ideas• Oral History Analysis Exercise• Sound Recording Analysis Worksheet