An orchestra has a loose definition: “a group of performers on various musical instruments, including especially stringed instruments of the viol class, clarinets and flutes, cornets and trombones, drums, and cymbals, for playing music, as symphonies, operas, popular music, or other compositions.”
And the key word there being “including”… but apparently not limited to.
The Boston Typewriter Orchestra has taken the definition to a whole new meaning. They’ve found a creative way to make music with nothing but – you guessed it – their typewriters.
They describe themselves as a “musical ensemble with sounds conjured by the rhythmic manipulation of typewriters” on Instagram.
Where they’ve also built a beautiful collection of old and modern typewriter pictures.
They group has been performing all across New England over the past 16 years, clicking, clacking, and dinging their instruments into music.
And you’re probably imagining a group of creative musicians who’ve gotten tired of their old tools, but think again!
Many of the members in the orchestra have only ever performed with a typewriter for an instrument. Though there are some more experienced musicians in the group as well.
As it is for all other performers around the world, the outbreak of COVID-19 has made it impossible for the Boston Typewriter Orchestra to perform in public as usual.
But, they’re a creative bunch.
They organized to reunite digitally to perform a new song they’ve been working on called “Unprisioning Your Think R.H.I.N.O.”.
They’ve come to the table in true COVID-style: all in isolation at home, wearing their best pandemic gear.
One guy is so focused on his typewriter that he’s not even fazed when his kids (and cat) rush the room and start doing some Harry Potter style play.
Even when his daughter is tapping on his shoulder, the typist stays on beat.
This summarizes what life working in quarantine is like. Kids running around wild while you sit in your home office just doing your best. I love it.
If this concept isn’t totally new to you and you can’t remember where you’ve seen it before, you may remember this team auditioning for American’s Got Talent back in 2011, season six.
They didn’t make it through, but obviously didn’t let it get them down!
Some of the members got creative with their social distancing performance and took to the streets wearing face masks.
This guy is sitting just next to a crosswalk, but with everyone inside on lockdown, he could be sitting in the middle of the road and it wouldn’t matter!
Well, maybe not in the middle of the road. A bus does go by.
One man managed to bring his entire home “office” outdoors.
Complete with a shirt and tie, mug of coffee, brief case, and Marshall speaker as a desk.
I would absolutely love to see them actually fill their instruments with paper and “read” what the results look like on the other side!
It could be some kind of new language in itself. Or maybe the next Great American Novel.
Who knew typewriters could have such percussion and rhythm? I’ll never look at one the same way again!
Watch the video below to hear them type up a storm you can jam to.
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