Line #15 Main/RhythmTypewriter


1	->''Like the piano, the typewriter also contains a system of levers that converts the small movement of a fingertip on a key into a long movement -- in this case the movement of the raised type on the end of the type bar. As the typewriter is always played fortissimo, a simple system of levers suffices to connect the key to the type.''
2	-->-- ''Literature/TheWayThingsWork''
3
4	The use of the typewriter as a percussion instrument in music. Other noises besides the clicking of keystrokes may be used, such as the carriage return bell.
5
6	Perhaps not as common nowadays, since [[TechnologyMarchesOn typewriters have been replaced by quieter computer keyboards]]. However, the faster you type on a keyboard, the harder you're likely to hit the keys, and thus the louder it's likely to be. You'd need to be pretty good to make music with it, but it might be possible.
7
8	Often overlaps with RapidFireTyping.
9	----
10	!!Examples:
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12	[[foldercontrol]]
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14	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
15	* ''Literature/VioletEvergarden'': The original soundtrack includes the sounds of Violet's typewriter since becoming an Auto-Memory Doll is the catalyst for her character development.
16	* ''Manga/{{Yotsuba}}'': A variation with a keyboard is used in the first image album.
17	[[/folder]]
18
19	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
20	* Used in the movie ''Film/{{Atonement}}'', as part of the soundtrack.
21	* The track "Pas si simple" in ''Film/{{Amelie}}'' starts with a typewriter as the lead-in to the rest of the music, and keeps the rhythm pattern in the background.
22	* The theme for Central Services in ''Film/{{Brazil}}'' underscores the bouncy instrumentals of ''Aquarela do Brasil'' with a typewriter. This proved popular enough for the track to become a frequent example of RecycledTrailerMusic.
23	* A variant in ''Film/TheProducers'', in which the prelude to the song [[IWantSong 'I Wanna Be A Producer']] has the accountants of the firm Bloom works in lamenting their lot in life, punctuated with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qH1pBTqvc4 the clicks from their calculators]].
24	* In ''WesternAnimation/MaryAndMax'' whilst Max [[https://youtu.be/rmviZ04mqc0?t=17 typewrites a letter for his penpal]].
25	* The trailer for ''Film/{{Populaire}}'' (a French RomanticComedy with typewriting competitions as background) is rhythmed by a carriage return bell sound.
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28	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
29	* ''Series/AreYouBeingServed'': Used both as the base for the theme tune and occasionally as an interstitial sound between scenes.
30	* ''Series/ACaseForTwo'': The start of the series' ElectronicMusic theme is played on a typewriter.
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33	[[folder:Music]]
34	* Perhaps most famously, Leroy Anderson's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vuDMInQMYQ The Typewriter]]", which has been used as the ThemeTune to Creator/{{BBC}} Radio 4's ''Radio/TheNewsQuiz''. The typewriter used in live performance is a specially modified one with all but two keys removed to prevent jamming. The piece is so fast-paced that the skill set required is that of not a typist, but a drummer.
35	* Another popular example is the Flying Lizards's 1979 cover of Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)".
36	* Guster's "All the Way Up to Heaven" and "Barrel of a Gun".
37	* The Music/DollyParton song "9 to 5". She made the sound by clicking her fingernails together.
38	* The Guess Who song "One Way Road to Hell".
39	* The clacking keys of a typewriter open the Music/TomTomClub's 1981 single "Wordy Rappinghood".
40	* This is also the way the [[Music/RoxyMusic Bryan Ferry]] song "Kiss and Tell" (from his 1987 album ''Bete Noire'') begins.
41	* The Winnipeg band Poor Tree incorporates typewriters into its music. Two or three members would type a poem while reading them, interlocking the lines, words and sounds.
42	* Multi-instrumentalist and composer Music/YannTiersen has used the typewriter as a percussion instrument in a number of his compositions, notably "Pas si simple" on his 1996 album ''Rue des Cascades''.
43	* On the hidden track "Writer's Block" from 2000's ''Binaural'', Music/PearlJam's Eddie Vedder can be heard mashing his typewriter keys over and over.
44	* A suite of songs titled "Green Typewriters" is on The Olivia Tremor Control's album ''Dusk at Cubist Castle'', and the sounds of typewriters can be heard in a few of the sections.
45	* The album ''Typewriter Concerto in D'' by Estonian prog-rock band In Spe.
46	* Thomas Dolby used typewriter sounds (keys and bell) in the track "Dissidents" from his second album, ''The Flat Earth''.
47	* Music/BrianEno uses some typewriter percussion on his song "China, My China".
48	** Preceded by the lines:
49	--> These poor girls are such fun \
50	They know what God gave them their fingers for \
51	(To make [[LampshadeHanging percussion over solos]])
52	* "Money" by The Lovin' Spoonful.
53	* "Queen of the Publication" on Music/OliviaNewtonJohn's album ''Soul Kiss''.
54	* "Words" by Music/{{Madonna}}.
55	* "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Troublemaker" by the All Girl Summer Fun Band.
56	* "Lady" by Music/ReginaSpektor.
57	* "I'll Still Be a Geek After Nobody Thinks It's Chic", aka "Nerd Anthem", by Marian Call.
58	* "We Are Happy Landfill" by Music/{{Gorillaz}}
59	* "My Chair" by Jill Sobule
60	* Music/{{REM}}'s [[Music/{{Document}} "Exhuming McCarthy]]" starts with the sounds of a typewriter.
61	* The opening rhythm to "No Pussy Blues" by Grinderman, a Music/NickCave project.
62	* Though the original version of {{Music/Kate Bush}}'s "Army Dreamers" did not rely on this, a symphonic tribute cover from the Gothenburg Symphony in Sweden replaced the sampled gun clocks of the original with a type writer for a 40th anniversary tribute to Kate Bush.
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65	[[folder:Theatre]]
66	* "A Secretary Is Not a Toy" from ''Theatre/HowToSucceedInBusinessWithoutReallyTrying''.
67	* "Opening Doors" from Music/StephenSondheim's ''Merrily We Roll Along''.
68	* "Embassy Lament" from ''Theatre/{{Chess}}''.
69	* "The Speed Test" from ''Thoroughly Modern Millie'' uses this. However, the stenographers, sitting at desks, are only pretending to type while actually tap-dancing to mimic the typing noises.
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72	[[folder:Video Games]]
73	* Fitting to the era they're set in, both ''VisualNovel/TheGreatAceAttorney'' 1 and 2 feature typewriter sounds in various parts of their soundtrack, most notably the leitmotif of the second game's Case 3 culprit.
74	* ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPaperJam'' uses typewriter noises in "Welcome to the Lakitu Info Center!" to underline the fact that it plays in a newsroom.
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77	[[folder:Western Animation]]
78	* Happened unconsciously in ''WesternAnimation/CatsDontDance''.
79	* Disney's ''WesternAnimation/{{Tarzan}}'' has this, when the young gorillas discover the camp and improvise a musical sequence.
80	* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'' sketch "Temporary Insanity" (where the Warners take over for Mr. Plotz's secretary), Yakko does this with a non-existent typewriter.
81	[[/folder]]

Context Main / RhythmTypewriter