Dense granular media under an applied shear force often exhibit a flowing nature during the formation of a shear band.  This nature can result from the system acting as a granular solid under continuous deformation or as a granular liquid.  The transition between these two states is analyzed by examining the coordination number (number of contact points between particles within the system) and the shear modulus and damping coefficient.  The shear modulus and damping coefficient were determined using cyclic loading techniques performed with a direct shear apparatus.  The shear modulus exhibited a decreasing trend, while the damping ratio exhibited an increasing trend.  Discrete Element Model simulations were used to examine the coordination number using sound waves to probe changes.  Sound waves travel solely through points of contact, therefore examination of the velocity of the wave will provide information on the coordination number.  Throughout the shearing process, the velocity of the sound wave decreased, indicating a decrease in the coordination number.  However, the decrease was very minimal, which leads to the conclusion that the system remains as a granular solid and the flowing nature results from continuous deformation of the particles.