SLOVARICA
the game of sonic kinship
Description
Slovarica is a board game designed for collective singing. It provides a tabletop field full of vocal sounds, international phonemes and extra techniques that celebrate the human ability to sing. It welcomes everyone regardless of their musical experience. Slovarica is not designed for musicians but for everyone.
The game field represents a fragment of the Balkan region. It contains Danube, Belgrade, Budapest, and other local cities, Carpathian mountains and the Alps, lakes, the seas, and etc. Each type of landscape provides a unique range of sounds.
Literally every voice can participate. The game requires neither special skills nor competencies. Slovarica thrives on diversity and enthusiasm. The game flow is unpredictable yet daring and fun. Last but not least, there are no winners. Slovarica is not meant for a competition but rather a reason to gather for the joy of creative exchange with people around. Neither is there an obligation to sing. One can stay aside listening and then join once they fancy.
The Slovarica was originally invented by Boris Lesnoy as a way to bolster the sense of global kinship.
The game field represents a fragment of the Balkan region. It contains Danube, Belgrade, Budapest, and other local cities, Carpathian mountains and the Alps, lakes, the seas, and etc. Each type of landscape provides a unique range of sounds.
Literally every voice can participate. The game requires neither special skills nor competencies. Slovarica thrives on diversity and enthusiasm. The game flow is unpredictable yet daring and fun. Last but not least, there are no winners. Slovarica is not meant for a competition but rather a reason to gather for the joy of creative exchange with people around. Neither is there an obligation to sing. One can stay aside listening and then join once they fancy.
The Slovarica was originally invented by Boris Lesnoy as a way to bolster the sense of global kinship.
Game rules
Game board consists of 420 hexagonal tiles. The tiles are assigned specific sounds, designated by letters and symbols. As long as a player occupies a specific tile, they are instructed to sing the indicated sound, contributing their part to the overall soundscape. The game represents a model of vocal musical improvisation for an unlimited number of participants.
Players can move from tile to tile, creating their unique musical sequence while moving across the board. Players are allowed to move in any direction. During one turn, a player can cross up to 3 meadow tiles, up to 6 river tiles, but only 1 tile when in the mountains. All city tiles that bear the #-glossolalia mark are teleports, allowing players to switch between them.
Anyone can join the game, regardless of musical experience or formal training. Any participant may enter the game board, move from tile to tile, and join the improvisation. At any time, a player can exit the game by leaving the board and merge with the audience.
Anyone can join the game, regardless of musical experience or formal training. Any participant may enter the game board, move from tile to tile, and join the improvisation. At any time, a player can exit the game by leaving the board and merge with the audience.
The sounds on the board are divided into two groups:
The sounds from the first group are drawn from international alphabets and consist of various phonemes. If you are not sure about a particular letter, you may still perform its general shape.
The sounds from the second group are special techniques and timbres marked by specific symbols (keys). These are the so-called extended vocal techniques along with a few body percussion sounds. Although most of them are elementary and suitable for everyone, still some of the keys (e.g. 'Creaky K') may be harmful if misperformed. Please, take care of yourself!
Both sound groups welcome all possible interpretations, nuances and variations within the proposed articulation.
If you are not sure about a particualar sound, please refer to the handouts.
- Speech sounds, marked by alphabetic letters
- Non-speech sounds, marked by special symbols (keys)
The sounds from the first group are drawn from international alphabets and consist of various phonemes. If you are not sure about a particular letter, you may still perform its general shape.
The sounds from the second group are special techniques and timbres marked by specific symbols (keys). These are the so-called extended vocal techniques along with a few body percussion sounds. Although most of them are elementary and suitable for everyone, still some of the keys (e.g. 'Creaky K') may be harmful if misperformed. Please, take care of yourself!
Both sound groups welcome all possible interpretations, nuances and variations within the proposed articulation.
If you are not sure about a particualar sound, please refer to the handouts.
Empty tiles on the board allow to pause for a moment and rest not withdrawing from the game flow completely. When occupying such a tile (with no mark on it), the player should not make any sound. Take your time and listen to the others.
Sounds and singing are only permitted while standing on a specific tile within the game board and producing the assigned sound. Variations in sound and personal interpretation are definetely encouraged!
In all other cases, participants must remain silent during the game.
It is recommended to move across the board calmly, carefully, and with deep attention to the ongoing sonic process.
Now you are ready to go! See you on a sonic journey!
In all other cases, participants must remain silent during the game.
It is recommended to move across the board calmly, carefully, and with deep attention to the ongoing sonic process.
Now you are ready to go! See you on a sonic journey!
Sonic contents
