Stylophoniacs of the world, unite!
March 27, 2009 6:54 AM Subscribe
It's time to learn about . . . the Stylophone! (YouTube link) This very portable instrument has been used in some famous songs, and has inspired many to do Stylophone versions of their own faves like Pacman, Star Wars Death March, and The Model. The Stylophone master of all time is quirky Brett Domino, who not only made the short film in the main link but does this lovely 80's Hits Medley. (All links go directly or indirectly to YouTube.) [via ZoomForum]
And for those who crave more info, Wikipedia does not disappoint. Still not satisfied? Here are all the YouTube Stylophone links. And one final link, a little Bach.
And for those who crave more info, Wikipedia does not disappoint. Still not satisfied? Here are all the YouTube Stylophone links. And one final link, a little Bach.
I had one given by my grandmother who won it at a bingo game.
It came with a recording on a small disc of vinyl by Rolf Harris and introduced how the device worked. On the B side were familiar tunes reimagined by an orchestra of stylophones.
Awful things.
posted by davemee at 7:36 AM on March 27, 2009
It came with a recording on a small disc of vinyl by Rolf Harris and introduced how the device worked. On the B side were familiar tunes reimagined by an orchestra of stylophones.
Awful things.
posted by davemee at 7:36 AM on March 27, 2009
What, no Rolf links?
posted by Artw at 7:43 AM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 7:43 AM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Hey, that's a picture of my hand (and my stylophone) on the wikipedia page!
One of the photography assignments I give my students is to take pictures for needy wikipedia articles. I had the stylophone kicking around in my classroom so we did a little photo shoot.
Any musicians who absolutely need a stylophone for a project, email me - we can arrange a loan if you'll spring for postage.
posted by davey_darling at 7:47 AM on March 27, 2009
One of the photography assignments I give my students is to take pictures for needy wikipedia articles. I had the stylophone kicking around in my classroom so we did a little photo shoot.
Any musicians who absolutely need a stylophone for a project, email me - we can arrange a loan if you'll spring for postage.
posted by davey_darling at 7:47 AM on March 27, 2009
Two links missing here: You can still buy them! Either a reproduction or a reconditioned original!
posted by mmoncur at 8:07 AM on March 27, 2009
posted by mmoncur at 8:07 AM on March 27, 2009
Wow, as an American kid listening to this song I had no idea there was anything behind it other than random samples.
posted by sandking at 8:31 AM on March 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by sandking at 8:31 AM on March 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Brett Domino on the Keytar playing Beat It made me very happy.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:39 AM on March 27, 2009
posted by leotrotsky at 8:39 AM on March 27, 2009
sandking - I was going to say the same thing. I knew there was an instrument, but I never bothered to learn more. Thanks!
posted by filthy light thief at 9:11 AM on March 27, 2009
posted by filthy light thief at 9:11 AM on March 27, 2009
That's generally called The Imperial March.
posted by w0mbat at 9:45 AM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by w0mbat at 9:45 AM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Matmos' album Supreme Balloon uses this instrument on a cut called Rainbow Flag.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 10:14 AM on March 27, 2009
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 10:14 AM on March 27, 2009
Brett Domino has taken great liberties with the melody of The Final Countdown.
I said good day, sir!
posted by lumensimus at 10:42 AM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I said good day, sir!
posted by lumensimus at 10:42 AM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
lumensimus: you're right, that was the first thing I noticed too. Gob Bluth would not be pleased.
posted by mmoncur at 11:56 AM on March 27, 2009
posted by mmoncur at 11:56 AM on March 27, 2009
Don't try 'cleaning' it with steel wool. I know from experience.
posted by imaswinger at 12:09 PM on March 27, 2009
posted by imaswinger at 12:09 PM on March 27, 2009
Please tell me this guy is kidding about it inspiring the creation of the piano, and being one of the oldest instruments on record - made in 1914. (In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that picture of a kid at a piano predates 1914.)
Sorry music major here. Can't stand weird inaccurate histories of music.
posted by Kimothy at 12:18 PM on March 27, 2009
Sorry music major here. Can't stand weird inaccurate histories of music.
posted by Kimothy at 12:18 PM on March 27, 2009
Please tell me this guy is kidding about it inspiring the creation of the piano
He was clearly kidding about it inspiring the creation of the piano.
posted by dirigibleman at 1:44 PM on March 27, 2009
He was clearly kidding about it inspiring the creation of the piano.
posted by dirigibleman at 1:44 PM on March 27, 2009
Everyone knows that the Paduan Cristofori invented the piano in in the late 1600s, based on the clavichord and the harpsichord. Those fine instruments, however, clearly owe their origin to the humble Stylophone.
posted by Squid Voltaire at 1:58 PM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Squid Voltaire at 1:58 PM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
sandking, I've been listening to that song for years and it frequently slips into my rotation. Awesome!!! So glad to see this post.
posted by Bovine Love at 2:49 PM on March 27, 2009
posted by Bovine Love at 2:49 PM on March 27, 2009
Kimothy, I don't know how to break this to you, but some of the internet is done kinda tongue in cheek. The rest is lies.
posted by Bovine Love at 2:50 PM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Bovine Love at 2:50 PM on March 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Stylophones are pretty great. I've got a couple (one that works, one that doesn't).
This song of mine over on MeFi Music uses one (the working one), coming out of the bridge and through to the end.
I searched but it seems to be the only Stylophone song over there so far. C'mon, davey_darling, post a song!
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 6:51 PM on March 27, 2009
This song of mine over on MeFi Music uses one (the working one), coming out of the bridge and through to the end.
I searched but it seems to be the only Stylophone song over there so far. C'mon, davey_darling, post a song!
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 6:51 PM on March 27, 2009
« Older Sonata per uno mulaticco lunattico | Venus Of Utapau Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by swift at 7:06 AM on March 27, 2009