Michael Davis
Czech composer Vaclav Halek claims to have heard mushrooms sing. Since 1980, he has transcribed their melodies into symphonic scores and composed about 2,000 tunes and one symphony based on the music he claims to have heard from mushrooms in the forest. Halek is not alone in his belief that mushrooms can make music. A project by Mycophone used technology to tap into the sounds of mushrooms, describing the result as a new kind of biotech organism. Meanwhile, a video of pink oyster mushrooms playing a modular synthesizer has also sparked intrigue. Whether it is through technological means or a walk in the woods, it seems that some people are convinced that mushrooms do, in fact, sing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do mushrooms sing? | Some people believe mushrooms make sounds and even claim to hear music when they are near mushrooms. |
| Who believes mushrooms sing? | Czech orchestral composer Vaclav Halek says he hears music from mushrooms and has composed about 2,000 tunes and one symphony based on the melodies. |
| How do people hear mushrooms sing? | Some people use technology, such as wires, radio waves, circuits, and microphones, to amplify and process the electromagnetic signals emitted by mushrooms. |
| Do different types of mushrooms sound different? | Vaclav Halek claims that different types of mushrooms have different songs and traits, and that some mushrooms have more compositions than others. |
| What does mushroom music sound like? | One person described mushroom music as "interstitial music from The Twilight Zone" without much rhythm or melody. Others have described it as "mushroomcore" or "psychedelic." |
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What You'll Learn
People claim to hear mushrooms sing
In an interview, Halek said that not all mushrooms carry the same tune. He said, "There are tones and melodies that only toadstools and mushrooms make, so that together they cannot be used to create a composition." When asked if different species of mushrooms speak in different languages, he said, "No, no. But I have noticed unusual things several times. When I have musicalized a group, three or four specimens, for example, I tend to have a feeling that they are moving around together. Like they are dancing, almost as if they were at a ball."
Halek is not the only one who claims to hear mushrooms sing. In 2021, Nerdist published a video of pink oyster mushrooms playing music on a synthesizer. The article accompanying the video states that the mushrooms are not very good at making music and that there isn't really any rhythm or melody to speak of. However, it also states that hearing the mushrooms "talk" to each other is kind of enthralling.
In 2014, Gizmodo published an article about a project by a group called Mycophone that sought to tap into the sounds of mold spores and mushrooms. The group used a custom music box, signal processors, and contact microphones, all woven and wired into a mixing board for sonic spores. The result was what they described as "a new kind of biotech organism," an acoustic creature "that makes sounds like many biological organisms do."
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Mushrooms talking to each other
While the idea of mushrooms singing may seem like something out of a fantasy novel, recent scientific research suggests that mushrooms and fungi may indeed have a form of communication akin to language.
A study published in Royal Society Open Science found that mushrooms communicate using electrical signals, which form patterns that resemble vocabularies of up to 50 "words". These electrical spikes often cluster into trains of activity, creating complex "sentences". The distribution of these "fungal word lengths" closely matches those of human languages. The study focused on four species of mushrooms: enoki, split gill, ghost, and caterpillar fungi. Split gills, which grow on decaying wood, generated the most complex "sentences".
The purpose of these electrical signals could be to maintain the fungi's integrity or to report newly discovered sources of food or repellants to other parts of their network. This hypothesis is supported by previous research showing that the number of electrical impulses traveling through hyphae, which are like fungal neurons, increases when fungi encounter new sources of food.
While the findings suggest that mushrooms may have a form of language, other scientists are cautious and would like to see more evidence before accepting these electrical signals as a true form of language.
Interestingly, a Czech composer, Vaclav Halek, claims to have heard mushrooms singing while walking in the woods. He has composed about 2,000 tunes and one symphony based on the melodies he claims to have heard from individual or groups of fungi.
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Using technology to hear mushroom sounds
The idea that mushrooms and fungi might be able to communicate through sound is a captivating one. While the evidence is not yet definitive, there are a few ways in which technology is being used to explore and listen in on these potential exchanges.
One method involves the use of clips or electrodes attached to the mushrooms or fungi, which measure galvanic conductance, similar to how a lie detector works. These devices then output sound based on changes in capacitance and resistance between the clips. However, it is important to note that the sounds produced by these devices are not necessarily the actual sounds created by the mushrooms themselves but are instead a result of the electromagnetic changes caused by their normal living processes.
Another approach to hearing mushroom sounds involves taking extremely low amplitude vibrations and turning them up after removing background noise. Many things, including mushrooms, create vibrations that are technically within the audible spectrum but are too quiet for us to hear without amplification.
In addition, some musician-scientists have measured the electrical fluctuations of fungi in response to sound waves using musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) biodata sonification devices. This technology has revealed that fungi respond to sound waves in a manner similar to humans, converting sound into electrical signals that can regulate their growth and development.
The potential ability of mushrooms to communicate through sound has also sparked interest in the agricultural sector. For example, it has been found that low-frequency sounds can increase the yield and growth rate of certain fungi, such as oyster mushrooms. By cultivating these mushrooms with sound treatment, agricultural practices can become more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The study of fungal communication through sound, or mycology, has often been treated as an afterthought in Western science. However, recent advances in research indicate that fungi may be more similar to humans than previously thought, and their potential language could reshape our understanding of ecosystems and life itself.
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Composing music inspired by mushrooms
When it comes to composing music inspired by mushrooms, one can draw inspiration from the diverse shapes, colours, and textures found in these fungi. Mushrooms come in various forms, from the delicate and petite varieties to the more robust and fleshy types. Their colours range from earthy tones of brown and beige to vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Some mushrooms even exhibit a subtle glow, known as bioluminescence, adding a mystical element to their appearance. By observing and studying the physical characteristics of mushrooms, musicians can translate these visual elements into musical motifs, creating a library of sounds and textures that reflect the diverse nature of mushrooms.
The sonic qualities of mushrooms can also play a pivotal role in music composition. While the notion of mushrooms producing audible sounds may seem far-fetched, certain projects have explored the electromagnetic communication potential of mushrooms. Through the use of technology, such as wires, radio waves, circuits, and custom music boxes, it is possible to uncover the hidden sounds embedded within these fungi. By tapping into their electromagnetic frequencies, musicians can discover a realm of otherworldly sounds, creating a unique soundscape that challenges traditional musical boundaries and explores the intersection of nature and technology.
The psychedelic and surreal nature of mushrooms can also inspire composers to create music that transcends conventional boundaries. Mushrooms have long been associated with altered states of consciousness and mystical experiences. By embracing the psychedelic aspect of mushrooms, composers can experiment with unconventional harmonies, rhythms, and melodies that defy traditional musical structures. This approach can lead to the creation of music that is not only inspired by mushrooms but also evokes a sense of the surreal and otherworldly, inviting listeners to embark on a sonic journey through the realms of imagination and exploration.
Additionally, the ecological significance of mushrooms can serve as a source of inspiration for composers. Mushrooms play a vital role in the ecosystem, particularly in the decomposition of organic matter and the recycling of nutrients. Composers can draw parallels between the life cycle of mushrooms and the themes of growth, decay, and rebirth in nature. By incorporating field recordings of forest sounds, such as rustling leaves, chirping insects, and gentle rain, composers can create atmospheric and ambient music that captures the essence of mushrooms' role in the natural world, blending organic sounds with musical elements to create a harmonious celebration of life and the environment.
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Different mushroom species, different melodies
While the idea of mushrooms singing may seem far-fetched, some people believe that different mushroom species produce different melodies. Composer Vaclav (or Václav) Halek claims to have composed around 2,000 tunes based on the music he hears from individual or groups of fungi in the forest. He has also created a symphony inspired by mushrooms, with each type of mushroom having its own unique melody. According to Halek, some mushrooms, like the lepista saeva, have inspired more songs than others.
In a similar vein, a project by a group called Mycophone aimed to explore the sounds of mold spores and mushrooms. They created a custom music box with signal processors and contact microphones, resulting in what they described as "a new kind of biotech organism" that purrs when its "hairy mycelia fur" is touched.
The concept of mushrooms making music is not limited to these examples. Pink oyster mushrooms have been known to play music on a modular synthesizer, creating a unique auditory experience. While the resulting music may not have distinct rhythms or melodies, it still captivates those who listen.
The belief that mushrooms possess their own form of communication and consciousness is not universally accepted. However, for those like Halek who have dedicated years to listening and composing, the idea of mushrooms singing is more than just a whimsical notion. They perceive subtle differences in the melodies produced by various mushroom species, suggesting that each type has its own distinct "voice."
While the scientific validity of these claims may be debated, the impact of this belief on art and music is undeniable. Halek's compositions, for instance, have been featured in film and theatre scores, influencing the world of orchestral music. Whether it is through technological means or pure auditory perception, the idea of different mushroom species singing their own melodies continues to intrigue and inspire.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no scientific evidence that mushrooms sing, there have been claims made by people who believe they can hear mushrooms make music. Composer Vaclav Halek, for example, has revealed that he has the ability to hear mushrooms sing and has composed about 2,000 tunes based on the melodies he claims to have heard from mushrooms.
People who claim to hear mushrooms sing believe that mushrooms have the same sort of capacity for non-verbal communication as flowers, animals, or trees. They believe that mushrooms communicate electromagnetically, and some have tried to use technology to tap into these electromagnetic signals.
According to one source, mushroom music does not have any discernible rhythm or melody. It sounds like interstitial music from The Twilight Zone, or an attempt to communicate with aliens on a psychedelic frequency. However, Vaclav Halek claims that different types of mushrooms play different melodies, and each type has its own specific secret.
