August 01, 2008
Are you ready to fill your noggins with more knowledge? I was planning on a second blog entry about music facts, and then my last blog entry became a resounding success (more people commented on that entry than all my other blog entries combined). So I’m thrilled to present to you more facts, all gleamed from the same scholarly source: Bugs Bunny cartoons.
Before we start, I notice that as of my writing this right now, no one provided a comment defining ‘mountebank.’ So, here the definition, courtesy of Merriam-Webster: A person who sells quack medicines from a platform. Now, time for facts!
FACT: A talented concert pianist might play so furiously that he or she will actually tie their fingers together in knots. They may also play so intensely that the entire keyboard slides slowly to the right, which forces them, every once and a while, to slam the keyboard back to the left, like an old-timey typewriter. The most talented piano players can pick the keys up off the keyboard entirely, and continue to play music as they throw them back into place.
FACT: Xylophones can be rigged to explode when you hit a specific note. While this sounds dangerous, it’s not fatal. After the xylophone explodes, you’ll find yourself covered in soot and perhaps missing some hair or feathers, but you’ll be able to shake it off and continue with whatever you’re doing.
FACT: It’s efficient, if you’re wearing a one-man band outfit, to position an accordion between your legs, so it compresses and expands, and therefore plays music, with every step. That leaves your right hand free to hold the trombone, your left hand free to bang the drum attached to your stomach, and your tail free to hit the cymbals attached to your back.
FACT: A waltz is an ideal piece of music for rabbit hunting. Good hunters and their dogs may actually step in time to the waltz, and this will often lead them to rabbit tracks (but it gets a little more difficult to snag the rabbit after that).
I’ll end with one final fact. Cartoons aren’t the only resource for learning – puppets can educate, too. Take a look at this clip to learn that all you need is a PPP (pitch-perfect poultry) octet to perform The Blue Danube Waltz.
Come back in a few weeks, because I’m gonna detail my own personal quest for information.
2 comments
Ahhh, finally the waltz makes sense...no wonder bridal couples makes this the first wedding dance. Thanks David
Ah! The genious of Mel Blanc. My favorite memory is Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd starring in a Wagner opera.
I really liked this blog, thanks