Something a bit different for me

[The Jackson]

Hello, all,

Today, I received my brand-new Victorinox "Explorer" model Swiss Army Knife. I've wanted one for a while, so I got this one as it had most of the tools that I wanted from a multi-tool. One thing I noticed very quickly on this tool was how fast all of the parts snapped in and out of their places. They are lightning-quick and make a very satisfying report.

At the same time, I've also been listening to a lot of John Cage's music, specifically where he uses everyday items to make music (I also saw that cool video on YouTube of a younger Frank Zappa playing the bicycle). This got me thinking. Using the sounds created by my Swiss Army Knife, I could create something fun and full of rhythm. What I created is not structured in a way like what Cage did, but I really like what I came up with here.

Here is a link to my Humyo.com account uploading of the short .mp3 of my piece entitled "Swiss Army".

This is the first thing of this kind that I have ever done, so "Swiss Army" really is just a testing of the concept for me. I really do like the final product, and I hope you do, too.

Jackson



For "Swiss Army", I used the sounds of the:
- Can opener snapping closed
- Scissors actuating
- Corkscrew snapping closed
- Corkscrew snapping open
- Large blade cutting a piece of paper
- Rattling the lanyard ring
- Dropping of the whole Knife by my hand

[Kevin Hendrick]

Very knifely done! A finely-honed blend of sharps and flats.

(seriously, I enjoyed listening to it -- thanks for the link!)

[The Jackson]

You're welcome and thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

I recorded this all with my Zoom H2, by the way. Yes, the sound really cuts through well...

[tubatooter1940]

I am thinking of a really sharp tuba line that might cut it with that rhythm.

[tbn.al]

Very clever indeed! But I think I caught you cheating. I don't belive all the sounds were from your knife. That low splat sounded suspiciously like a bass trombone.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Very clever indeed! But I think I caught you cheating. I don't belive all the sounds were from your knife. That low splat sounded suspiciously like a bass trombone.

A little too much edge for a knife?

[windshieldbug]

Very clever indeed! But I think I caught you cheating. I don't belive all the sounds were from your knife. That low splat sounded suspiciously like a bass trombone.

A little too much edge for a knife?

Could have been a chainsaw, but that's a trombone, too!

[tubatooter1940]

Reminds me of an old comedy bit by Jerry Louis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7ySmnxy29Q" target="_blank" target="_blank