Typewriter music ?!

The Typewriter

All you young people out there, do you know what a typewriter is? This thing that has manual key board was the crucial tool before computer keyboards were invented and without auto correct and delete. Yes and they can jam easily. Imaging that?! Well, turns out it can be a wonderful percussion too! Surprisingly you can still buy electric typewriters today for use with multi-page forms.

The Typewriter is a short piece of music composed by American composer Leroy Anderson (1908-1975). It was composed in 1950, and premiered in New York City in 1953, in a time where typewriters are essential object in offices and even households.

The typewriter used in the composition was slightly modified for performing purpose: only two keys work so the keys won’t jammed. The part usually is played by percussionist. Apparently, it is difficult because its flying typin

Listen to an interview of Leroy Anderson on NPR https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91935049

One of the possibilities people love exploring is incorporating everyday object into classical music. Among the curious pioneers, you might hear of American master John Cage and his Prepared Piano. The composer inserts various everyday object onto piano strings creating unique sounds (as the photo below). Regardless, as innovative it is, the music of John Cage was often considered too abstruse for many.

Text by: Ellie Pai/Licha Stelaus Productions

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Disclaimer: We are fans of great sound and music. We are not agent nor presenter of musicians featured on this post. We do not own the photos and videos in this blog. Typewriter photo by rishi from unsplash.com; John Cage photo byIrving Penn / © 1947 (Renewed 1975) CondÉ Nast Publications Inc. - Licha Stelaus Productions