What are "found sounds" in the context of music?

Found sounds refer to sounds that are recorded from everyday life and then used in music to create unique audio experiences. This concept embraces the idea that music does not have to come solely from traditional instruments; instead, it can incorporate noises from the environment, such as the sound of traffic, voices, or even household items. The use of found sounds allows composers and musicians to expand their auditory palette, blending the ordinary with the artistic to produce innovative works. This technique is often seen in genres like experimental music, sound art, and various forms of electronic music, where the essence of everyday life can be transformed into a musical statement.

Other options focus on aspects that do not encompass the full definition of found sounds. Traditional instruments are not included in the definition since found sounds specifically highlight non-instrumental audio. Digitally altered sounds also stray from the original essence of found sounds, which are about capturing and using real-time environmental sounds. Lastly, specifying sounds produced exclusively in nature does not encompass the wide range of everyday noises that can be utilized in the context of music, which can originate from urban environments, mechanical sources, and other non-natural settings.