Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Main / EverythingIsAnInstrument

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Particularly notable is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmfHHLfbjNQ this cover]] of Radiohead's ''Nude'', performed by a Sinclair UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum, a dot-matrix printer, a scanner, and an array of hard disks used as speakers.

to:

** Particularly notable is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmfHHLfbjNQ this cover]] of Radiohead's ''Nude'', performed by a Sinclair UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum, Platform/ZXSpectrum, a dot-matrix printer, a scanner, and an array of hard disks used as speakers.



* {{Demoscene}} compositions occasionally make use of this, with UsefulNotes/{{MOD}} formats being well-suited to utilising this trope.

to:

* {{Demoscene}} compositions occasionally make use of this, with UsefulNotes/{{MOD}} Platform/{{MOD}} formats being well-suited to utilising this trope.



* The General UsefulNotes/{{MIDI}} standard defines programs 119 through 127 as the sound effects Reverse Cymbal, Guitar Fret Noise, Breath Noise, Seashore, Bird Tweet, Telephone Ring, Helicopter, Applause and [[InstrumentalWeapon Gunshot]], respectively.

to:

* The General UsefulNotes/{{MIDI}} Platform/{{MIDI}} standard defines programs 119 through 127 as the sound effects Reverse Cymbal, Guitar Fret Noise, Breath Noise, Seashore, Bird Tweet, Telephone Ring, Helicopter, Applause and [[InstrumentalWeapon Gunshot]], respectively.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''Series/TheBigGarage'': In the tool segment of “Sounds Funny To Me”, [[AnimateInanimateObject the Saw]] is able to play ''herself'' by bending her blade.

Added: 149

Changed: 156

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


See also InstrumentalWeapon, SerendipitousSymphony, KazoosMeanSilliness, and TrashCanBand. If they actually build an instrument out of it, it's a BizarreInstrument.

to:

SuperTrope of TrashCanBand and RhythmTypewriter.

See also InstrumentalWeapon, SerendipitousSymphony, KazoosMeanSilliness, SerendipitousSymphony and TrashCanBand.KazoosMeanSilliness. If they actually build an instrument out of it, it's a BizarreInstrument.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


->'''Patrick:''' ''[raising his hand]'' Is mayonnaise an instrument?\\

to:

->'''Patrick:''' ''[raising ''(raising his hand]'' hand)'' Is mayonnaise an instrument?\\



''[{{Beat}}, then Patrick raises his hand again]''\\
'''Squidward:''' Horseradish isn't an instrument, either.\\
''[[[HandsGoDown Patrick lowers his hand]]]''

to:

''[{{Beat}}, ''({{Beat}}, then Patrick raises his hand again]''\\
again)''\\
'''Squidward:''' Horseradish isn't is not an instrument, either.\\
''[[[HandsGoDown Patrick ''[[HandsGoDown (Patrick lowers his hand]]]''hand)]]''
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''WesternAnimation/RazzberryJazzberryJam'':
** Buddy’s “gift” in “Happy Birthday House!” is a conglomeration of wooden boards and metal pipes which he proceeds to play with his drumsticks; this was inspired by how Louis had spend the majority of the episode attempting to stop two obnoxious noises the House Of Jam had developed: Creaky floorboards and banging pipes.
** In “Billie’s Biggest Fan”, Annie The Handfan is the guest “instrument” of the episode, and her “performance” consists of opening and closing herself to the beat. The episode’s live-action segment takes this to the extreme, as SpecialGuest Bob Scott drums on ''everything''- an empty instrument case, a chair, the floor, ''himself''...
** “Super Sounds” inverts the usual setup of this trope- rather than drumming on random objects, Buddy and Krupa try to find their “new sound” by drumming on themselves using Everything As A Drumstick- brushes (which is an actual drum technique, for the record), spoons, pencils, even [[{{Pun}} chicken drumsticks]].
** The guest instrument of “Phantom Of The Jam” is Herschel, a ghostly [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_saw musical saw]]. The episode’s live-action musician, Gene Hardy, naturally also plays the saw, and in the first live-action segment he even gives the episode’s live-action kids (non-sharp) saws for them to try to play themselves (by hitting them with pencils, for some reason, bringing back the spirit of “Super Sounds”). (The episode’s second live-action segment starts with more of Hardy’s saw-playing but quickly devolves into the kids BangingPotsAndPans).
-->'''Gene''': How do you suppose we’re going to get a sound out of it ''[the saw]''?
-->'''Kayla''': You can bing it?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* {{Music/L7}}'s "Drama" includes a guitar solo played on a Micro Jammers' toy guitar - the toy only plays pre-recorded riffs, so guitarist Donita Sparks was rapidly button-mashing to produce something approaching a solo.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* A few songs on Music/{{Nirvana}}'s ''Music/{{Nevermind}}'' (most notably the instrumental breakdown in "Drain You") feature some toys Music/KurtCobain brought to the studio.

to:

* A few songs on Music/{{Nirvana}}'s ''Music/{{Nevermind}}'' ''Music/{{Nevermind|Album}}'' (most notably the instrumental breakdown in "Drain You") feature some toys Music/KurtCobain brought to the studio.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Music/{{Beck}}:

to:

* Music/{{Beck}}:Music/{{Beck|Musician}}:



* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' has a double example in "Bendin' in the Wind", in which Music/{{Beck}} invits him to be the "washboard player" for his backing band, that is, Bender plays his own body, which is torn with parallel-line grooves, which gives it the same effect as a washboard.

to:

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' has a double example in "Bendin' in the Wind", in which Music/{{Beck}} Music/{{Beck|Musician}} invits him to be the "washboard player" for his backing band, that is, Bender plays his own body, which is torn with parallel-line grooves, which gives it the same effect as a washboard.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* [[https://www.youtube.com/@DeviceOrchestra Device Orchestra]]. As the name states, everything from electric toothbrushes to typewriters, toasters and electric irons is used to play various pieces of music.

to:

* [[https://www.youtube.com/@DeviceOrchestra Device Orchestra]]. As the name states, everything from electric toothbrushes to typewriters, toasters and electric irons is are used to play various pieces of music.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** "WesternAnimation/MusicLand": In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/2023_12_22.png musical saws can be seen]] in the King Of Jazz's court.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* Woody Phillips, a musician and carpenter, has released two albums, [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nw_8dg-ObxcP8DVJs0T_xLArjK-lAtLGk Toolbox Classics]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l5iT_2EJceSoJkEXME3GPV4B1A8iZcJ1M A Toolbox Christmas]], where, respectively, ClassicalMusic and ChristmasSongs are performed on everything from saw blades to ratchets to 2x4s.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKZTdkvr4qo Thunderstruck]]" by {{Music/AC/DC}}. A dryer door being slammed replaces the sharp drum hits in the original.

to:

** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKZTdkvr4qo Thunderstruck]]" by {{Music/AC/DC}}.{{Music/ACDC}}. A dryer door being slammed replaces the sharp drum hits in the original.

Added: 584

Changed: 222

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* [[https://www.youtube.com/@DeviceOrchestra Device Orchestra]]. As the name states, everything from electric toothbrushes to typewriters, toasters and electric irons is used to play various pieces of music.



* In perhaps a mechanised use of the aforementioned washboard, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1hnBv12-uk here's a washing machine with a dodgy drum bearing]] serving as the percussion for a performance of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia".

to:

* In perhaps a mechanised use of Washing machines apparently work fairly well as the aforementioned washboard, [[https://www.percussion for a variety of songs:
** "[[https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=u1hnBv12-uk here's a washing machine with a dodgy drum bearing]] serving as the percussion for a performance of "The The Devil Went Down to Georgia".Georgia]]"
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKZTdkvr4qo Thunderstruck]]" by {{Music/AC/DC}}. A dryer door being slammed replaces the sharp drum hits in the original.


Added DiffLines:

* Two people playing the Franchise/HarryPotter [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmltHR0uB9E theme]] using a washing machine and dryer.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Video has been taken down, plus the trope image being described seems to have been changed.


* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCw6OqywxVc&feature=player_embedded This Cola ad]] resembles the picture at the top of the page, albeit with some kind of troll creatures in place of cats.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'': In "thirteensomething", when Babs leaves the show, Buster holds auditions for a new co-host ("I wonder if Creator/EdMcMahon's available."). One of them, Binky Bunny, after doing a terrible Zsa Zsa impression, says she can also play her nose, and does a Hawaiian nose-humming interpretation of the theme song.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
not sure why that wasn't working?


-->-- ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'', "[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E15TheSecretBoxBandGeeks Band Geeks]]"

to:

-->-- ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'', -->--''WesternAnimation/{{SpongeBob SquarePants}}'', "[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E15TheSecretBoxBandGeeks Band Geeks]]"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''WesternAnimation/WorkItOutWombats'': In "[[Recap/WorkItOutWombatsS1E33ParrandaHappyNewAcornYear The Treeborhood Parranda]]," Sammy and Louisa make their own instruments for the parranda. They make bongos from bowls, a güiro from a squash, and use tap-dancing shoes for castanets.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* In a Season 9 ''WebVideo/{{Hermitcraft}}'' episode, Zedaph and Etho collaborated to record a version of the 1812 Overture. Etho's contribution used note blocks, which are the most normal way to make music in ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}''. Zedaph's contribution, on the other hand, used the game's exploding [[ActionBomb creeper]] enemies to provide percussion.

Added: 313

Removed: 314

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* A ''[[WebVideo/MuppetViralVideos Muppet Viral Video]]'' had the Swedish Chef performing "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7UmUX68KtE Popcorn]]", with the popping noises being made by actual popcorn, while the Chef accompanied it on wine glasses, a kitchen knife played like a saw, melons, pans, and a blender.


Added DiffLines:

* A ''[[WebVideo/MuppetViralVideos Muppet Viral Video]]'' had the Swedish Chef performing "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7UmUX68KtE Popcorn]]", with the popping noises being made by actual popcorn, while the Chef accompanied it on wine glasses, a kitchen knife played like a saw, melons, pans, and a blender.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* The sounds produced inside an [=MRI=] machine could be used rather effectively in techno music by a sufficiently skilled composer.

to:

* The sounds produced inside an [=MRI=] machine could be used rather effectively in techno music by a sufficiently skilled composer.composer... if they could somehow talk the hospital staff into letting them borrow the [=MRI=] machine.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* The sounds produced inside an [=MRI=] machine could be used rather effectively in techno music by a sufficiently skilled composer.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''VideoGame/Doom2016'' features the work of Music/MickGordon. After being told 'no guitars' by Id Softare, he proceeded to sample a running chainsaw and a Soviet-era synthetic tone generator for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc0dbQktjHE the game's title theme]].

to:

* ''VideoGame/Doom2016'' features the work of Music/MickGordon. After being told 'no guitars' by Id Softare, he proceeded to sample a running chainsaw and a Soviet-era synthetic tone generator for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc0dbQktjHE com/watch?v=bI5l43cljBM the game's title theme]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None



to:

* The video for Music/AetherRealm's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRJo0Yyj4V4 "TMHC"]] features the band and its fans playing and singing along to the song on whatever's available, such as opening and closing cabinet doors, using drumsticks on a baffled-looking cat, and beating on waffles placed on a drum kit.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''Series/FraggleRock'': In "Mokey and the Minstrels", the Minstrels demonstrate this to a skeptical Mokey by playing their instruments to the beat of water dripping from stalactites into a pond.
-->'''Mokey:''' Oh, that's beautiful! I've never heard that song before.\\
'''Cantus:''' There are many songs you've never heard.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''Series/SesameStreet'': The song "What Makes Music?" is about how tunes can be played on everything from rubber bands to old tin cans.

to:

* ''Series/SesameStreet'': The {{Lampshaded}} in the song "What Makes Music?" is Music?", about how tunes can be played on everything from rubber bands to old tin cans.

Added: 626

Changed: 167

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None



to:

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}}'': In the song "Always let your conscience be your guide", Jiminy bounces on a saw blade, which makes squeaky sounds with the music.


Added DiffLines:

* ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail'': The song "Camelot" has a brief section of one knight playing a tune on the helmets of several other knights.


Added DiffLines:

* ''Literature/TheWayThingsWork'': The section "Sound and music" begins with a story of "playing the mammoth", in which musicians try to make music from a tethered mammoth by thumping its belly, plucking its stretched tail, and tapping its tusks; and the mammoth joins in, by making sounds from its trunk.


Added DiffLines:

* ''Series/MrBean'': In "The Return of Mr Bean", Mr Bean plays "Happy Birthday" to himself in a restaurant, by tapping the glasses and plates on the table, with some success.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* [[https://youtube.com/@GunDrummer?si=cmQO1A7trcbbH-6Q Gun Drummer]]. As the channel [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin whose name implies]], replaced drums with ''guns''. RuleOfCool much?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYZNSyP9v9M Driving In My Car]]" by Music/{{Madness}} has a melody of engine noises, car horns, bicycle bells and tools on car parts.

to:

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYZNSyP9v9M Driving In My Car]]" by Music/{{Madness}} Music/{{Madness|Band}} has a melody of engine noises, car horns, bicycle bells and tools on car parts.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''Series/SesameStreet'': The song "What Makes Music?" is about how tunes can be played on everything from rubber bands to old tin cans.
-->'''Bob:''' A paper and a comb...\\
'''Susan:''' A washboard and a bone...\\
'''Gordon:''' A bucket that you bang on, or a ringing telephone!
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Heh, how about combining {{Hentai}} and ThrashMetal [[https://www.reddit.com/r/MetalAniMemes/comments/10gqd31/comment/j546kt3/ as shown here, with moaning girl noises]] from hentai instead of usual HarshVocals or MetalScream played on top of the aggressive, mosh-friendly and furious speed of EpicRiff and hammering guitar power chords from thrash, which would've been considered as an AvantGardeMetal track had it been done by a real band and put HairMetal to a serious shame. The creator even made a name for it, "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin hentai thrash]]", "H-Thrash" or even a sillier nickname, "[[Main/{{Portmanteau}} thrashentai]]" [[note]]He has joked he would do {{Ecchi}} SpeedMetal next after he demonstrated {{Hentai}} ThrashMetal.[[/note]]. The most bizarre part of the idea is that this weird, unconventional, zany thrash-meets-hentai chaos actually... ''[[CrazyEnoughToWork works perfectly]]''... Definitely IntercourseWithYou taken to its extreme.
** It also counts as {{Improv}} as the creator wants ''you'', dear troper, to mix hentai and thrash metal ''yourself''.

to:

* Heh, how about combining {{Hentai}} and ThrashMetal [[https://www.where instead of usual HarshVocals or MetalScream,[[https://www.reddit.com/r/MetalAniMemes/comments/10gqd31/comment/j546kt3/ as shown here, with you have lewdy, moaning girl noises]] sounds]] from hentai instead of usual HarshVocals or MetalScream played on top of the aggressive, mosh-friendly and furious speed of EpicRiff and mosh-friendly, hammering guitar power chords riffs from thrash, thrash metal, which would've been considered as an AvantGardeMetal track had it been done by a real band and put HairMetal to a serious shame. shame? The creator even made a name for it, "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin hentai thrash]]", thrash metal]]", "H-Thrash" or even a sillier nickname, "[[Main/{{Portmanteau}} thrashentai]]" [[note]]He has joked he would do {{Ecchi}} SpeedMetal next after he demonstrated {{Hentai}} ThrashMetal.[[/note]]. The most bizarre part of the idea is that this weird, unconventional, zany unconventional thrash-meets-hentai chaos idea actually... ''[[CrazyEnoughToWork works perfectly]]''... Definitely IntercourseWithYou taken to its extreme.
** It also counts as {{Improv}} as the creator wants ''you'', dear troper, to mix hentai and thrash metal ''yourself''. In other words, you get to demonstrate this trope.

Top