Water Walking and Bicycle Blowing (part 1)

Andre, , , ,

Most of you are probably already familiar with the following videos:

(The remainder of Zappa’s performance can be found here.) These videos have made the rounds numerous times over the years, but I don’t know if anyone’s ever looked into any possible connections between Cage and Zappa. To me, these two performances and their respective contexts are too similar to be coincidental. I think it’s very likely that Zappa saw Cage’s appearance on television and modeled his own performance on it. Even if there isn’t such a direct connection between the two videos, I think it’s more than likely that Zappa at least had some of Cage’s theory in mind.

I think there’s a lot to say here, so I’ll limit my discussion here to a little background info on the two videos. I’ll follow up in a second post with a brief analysis of Zappa’s discourse regarding Cage.

The first video shows John Cage in his February 24, 1960 appearance on the CBS game show I’ve Got a Secret. Typically, the show features contestants with unusual, amazing, embarrassing, or otherwise humorous secret. A panel tries to guess their secret using only yes/no questions. The host, Garry Moore, considered Cage’s secret–

I’m going to perform one of my musical compositions … The ‘instruments’ I will use are: a water pitcher, an iron pipe, a goose call, a bottle of wine, an electric mixer, a whistle, a sprinkling can, ice cubes, 2 cymbals, a mechanical fish, a quail call, a rubber duck, a tape recorder, a vase of roses, a seltzer siphon, 5 radios, a bathtub, and a grand piano.

–to be intriguing enough to forgo the game in hopes of allowing time for the entire piece to be performed (with the further hope of a Q&A afterwards).

water walk 1

Floorplan for Cage’s Water Walk [1]

The piece Cage performed, Water Walk, was an adaption of his earlier piece Water Music (1952) which is generally thought of as the first of Cage’s so-called “theater pieces.” Cage originally adapted the piece for a performance on a different game show, the Italian program Lascia o Raddoppia (loosely translated: “double or nothing”) in January of 1959.

cage_Buongiorno

John Cage on Lascia o Raddoppia with host Mike Buongiorno

On Lascia o Raddoppia, contestants answered questions on a topic of their choice. If they were successful, they were invited back the following week to answer harder questions for progressively larger winnings. A contestant who made it through all five weeks stood to win five million lire (approximately eight thousand dollars). Cage, an accomplished mycologist, answered questions about mushrooms with the aid of an interpreter. Cage made it through all five weeks and bought a new piano with his winnings upon returning home. More significantly, Cage was also invited to perform one of his compositions each week of show. Water Walk adapted the earlier Water Music to be more appropriate to the televised medium.

water walk 2

Detail of the score for Water Walk [2]

Compared to Water Music, Water Walk is much simpler. Cage’s specifications for the timing of various events are much less specific. More significantly, however, Cage seems to have introduced a greater degree of humor to the second piece, pandering to the lighthearted nature of television and its audiences. I think the added humor was something that would surely have appealed to Zappa.

(The only other performance of Water Walk by Cage was done on The Henry Morgan Show in June of 1959.)

In the other video, we see Zappa performing on The Steve Allen Show three years later. Zappa’s piece, a “concerto for two bicycles, a pre-recorded tape and the musicians in the back” is much more improvised. As Zappa points out in the pre-performance interview, he hadn’t been playing the bike very long.

Jerry Hopkins, the show’s talent coordinator recalls how Zappa landed the gig:

The rules for my job were simple. Get someone who was genuinely eccentric or who did something at least a little strange or out-of-the-ordinary, but never make fun of them—the idea was to have fun with them. And, no fakes, no frauds, no bogus acts looking for exposure and willing to do anything to get it, no put-ons or send-ups, no cons. Because, Steve assured me, they never, ever worked, and they embarrassed everyone.

Only once did I ignore his advice and that was when I got a call from a young man who identified himself as Frank Zappa. He said he wanted to teach Steve how to “blow bicycle.” “Blow bicycle,” I repeated.

“Yeah, you know, like, the bicycle is a musical instrument.”

(You can read the rest of Hopkins’ account here.)

Zappa’s performance even got a write up in a local Cucamonga newspaper:

“Ontario Composer, Steve Allen To Play Wacky Duet”

Frank Zappa, 22, Ontario resident and composer of music, serious and otherwise, will be seen on television tomorrow night playing a bicycle concerto for two with Steve Allen. The show is at 11 p.m., Channel 5. “It’s very funny,” said Zappa. “You play a bicycle by plucking the spokes and blowing through the handle bars.” Other methods of producing “cyclophony” is to stroke the spokes with the bow of a bass fiddle, twirl the pedals and let air out of the tires. The Zappa-Allen concerto will be abetted by a man in the control room fooling around with a tape recorder and by a jazz group which will supply toneless background noise. Zappa studied music and art at Chaffey College. He wrote the score for “The World’s Greatest Sinner,” a low-budget tale about a sacrilegious imposter who repents. “Sinner” had its premiere at Vista-Continental Theater, Hollywood, and opened Wednesday at the Ken Theater, San Diego. Zappa writes musical commercials for TV and radio. They are recorded at Pal Studio, Cucamonga. [3]

These videos both provide neat examples of how the frequently-opposed worlds of art and pop occasionally intersect. A lot of the responsibility for these meetings can be placed on television. I haven’t quite worked this out completely yet, but it seems that for Zappa, the added visual dimension of televised performance goes hand in hand with what he thought about Cage.

In both of these videos, what interests me is the awkward mix of polite respect and anxious laughter on the parts of the hosts and the audiences of each show. I think that these two videos give us an intimate glance a very specific moment in the history of avant-garde music. Audiences (and television programmers) were still receptive to experimental ideas, which themselves hadn’t yet been relegated to exclusive academic circles.

From my perspective, nearly fifty years later, it’s remarkable how adventurous television programming was in the middle of the twentieth century. It’s easy to complain about the lack of this sort of programming nowadays, but I think these examples might give us a better understanding of the current situation.

References:
[1] Taken from William Fetterman, John Cage’s Theatre Pieces: Notations and Performances (Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1996), 33.
[2] Ibid., 35.
[3] As of yet, I have not been able to find an accurate citation for this article. Based on the details it came from a Cucamonga, CA newspaper and can be dated to March 13, 1963. A transcription of the text can be found here.
Water Walking and Bicycle Blowing (part 1)

84,938 thoughts on “Water Walking and Bicycle Blowing (part 1)”

  2. thehomerunkid

    little girl high heel ankle boots ensemble tshirt short adidas eastpak nouveau adidas nmd runner svart græ°“ lebron 13 triple schwarz yeezys hoka one one napali womens

  3. lego mixels renders from ldd album on imgur

    lego 21020 architecture trevi fountain building toy for salelego mountain dew vending machine custom set for boys girls very detailed newhuge sale on 2013 lego star wars sets bricks and bloksmua lego 6176 duplo tr锚n amazon m峄?ch铆nh h茫ng gi谩 r岷?/a>

  6. nega ko啪e klju膷ne besede

    caramel complexion base 胁懈褉褨胁薪褞褞褔邪 斜邪蟹邪 锌褨写 屑邪泻褨褟卸泻芯薪褍褋薪邪褟 锌谢芯泄泻邪 babyliss bab2281tte褋褍褕泻邪 写谢褟 胁芯谢芯褋褋褟 zelmer 泻褍锌懈褌懈 胁 褍泻褉邪褩薪褨写懈褌褟褔懈泄 泻芯屑斜褨薪械蟹芯薪 泻褍锌懈褌懈

  8. oprawki burberry

    lentiggini zeleni kupa膰i kostim vodonepropusna torba 30 l naran膷asta decathlon vereni膷ki prsten ukra拧en cirkonima investiciono zlato traper kombinezon najbolji ljetni komad odvod za stroj za pranje rublja kroz odvod visina i pravila solid termo radna k…

  9. prvot艡铆dn铆 kvality d谩msk茅 p谩sek horsefeathers anabel light modr媒

    慰位慰蟽蠅渭伪 渭伪纬喂慰 渭蔚纬伪位伪 渭蔚纬蔚胃畏 蠁胃畏谓伪 蟿蟽伪谓蟿蔚蟽 roccobarocco hondos center pantalones trangoworld prote fi hombre lima camisetas premama divertidas env铆o gratis sandalias cu帽a tambi urban the north face arctic abrigo de plumas mujer ropa abrigos sandalias tr…

  10. bottines vernies de g茅mo

    huawei p smart accessibility settings youtubebalenciaga best cover for note 95.61 10 de r茅duction pour samsung galaxy a5 2017 caisse en bois dragon chinois combat loup aigle parrain croix motif sculpt茅 naturel t茅l茅phonesearch results for bank

  12. eva long jupon en tulle

    nikes sportswear logo taped pants red social statusgolden globe 2016 my favorite top ten red carpet dressessummer dress women o neck long sleeve paillette sequins backless bodycon slim pencil party dressesreplica bulgari serpenti original leather frame…

  13. striped denim shirt man

    image is loading scorpion exo r410 model replacement amp optional helmet amazon toronto maple leafs adidas nhl camo structured flex cap kanye west yeezus merch for glastonbury supreme 2017 laminated box weave camp cap w tags accessories reversible cat…

  14. nazkhaliq

    vestidos largos para madrinas zapatos hunter mujer nike youth jared cook limited camo jersey oakland raiders nfl 87 2018 salute to service casu sanda艂y lime green dress fashion nova vestidos de novia sencillos 2017

  15. achat lentille optique

    soldes peignoir homme chaussures è„¿ talons ouvertes gants de ski salomon gore tex lunette ray ban clubmaster prix tenue danse fille decathlon sweat femme oregon maillot de bain shorty bresilien femme blazer homme bleu clair

  16. black wedge sneaker shoes

    black triangle bikini adidas originals nmd 2 hardaway jersey black and white american flag swim trunks silver high tops nike white max footshop titleist golf hats for sale under armour commercial stephen curry

  18. portafoglio clip amazon

    scarpa nero giardini prezzi cappotto gucci album fotografico 25 anni matrimonio bollitore acqua siti per comprare scarpe a basso prezzo michael kors borsa grigia motosega active 39.39 prezzi foto perizoma a filo

  19. 渭伪尉喂位维蟻喂 尉伪蟺位蠋蟽蟿蟻伪蟼 蟽喂苇位 casablanca new 5蔚魏.蟻蔚位喂 纬魏蟻喂

    slipy andrew christian czarna elegancka bluzka damska toys toys zabawki czapki wyprzeda偶 koszule meskie krotki rekaw czarna prosta sukienka na studniowke czapka guess z daszkiem w艂oska torebka zamszowa

  21. 啪enski copati iz filca ro啪ica rde膷a

    写械褕械胁懈泄 屑芯谢芯写褨卸薪懈泄 芯写褟谐. 3 褕褌褎械薪 褖械褌泻邪 philips 蟹邪 400 谐褉薪褋褌芯谢懈泻 写谢褟 谐芯写褍胁邪薪薪褟 写懈褌褟褔懈泄泻械写懈 卸褨薪芯褔褨 yuves 590 斜褨谢褨

  22. luci arredamento casa

    pandora charm costo copripiumino trovaprezzi pigne da decorare per natale modelli in costume da bagno borsa da uomo louis vuitton amazon morellato borsa chanel 2.55 usata scatole bianche con coperchio

  23. lonetas ni帽a online

    remeras para hombres 2016 botas gucci precio maletas rigidas en oferta pinterest zapatos hechos en espa帽a ofertas de gafas graduadas en opticalia locion dolce gabbana precio a iphone 6s sudadera adidas blanca mujer

  25. love tè°©ska fekete

    deichmann os mè°©lyvasz铆nç–Ÿ iskolatè°©ska cat woman ruha hosszç…¤ fekete vr box vr szem眉veg contrast collar pique kontaktlencse betegs茅gek 铆gy meg eg茅szs茅gkalauz memory utazè´¸ nyakpè°©rna u alakç…¤ szexi t眉rkiz nyomott mintè°©s bikini samsonite miss journey n艖i p茅nz…

  27. heine strickj盲ckchen

    盲rmellose bluse mit kragen fashion taschen schuhe f眉r das dirndl schleife dirndl rechts oder links damenuhr gold kaufen homewear anzug nike air max grau wei脽 damen diesel stretch jeans

  28. asics gel zaraca 4

    modern indian abiti tan vestiti for abiti da sposa floral tutu vestito oysho slip vestito asos emerald verde bianco chicken vestito di linea she bad ruffle vestito moda nova flower girl vestitoing gown

  29. lipault valise cabine 4 roues 55 cm originale plume ecru et

    d谩mska ko啪en谩 pe艌a啪enka kbas hned谩salomon speedcross 3 d谩msk茅 trail be啪eck谩 obuv 膷ern媒 膷ern媒ko膷谩rek patron falco f4t twin 2019 d谩rek emitex fusak 2v1 fandaglamour converse d谩msk谩 obuv d谩msk谩 tenisky chuck taylor all

  34. kako nositi sivi sako

    蟽蟿慰位苇蟼 蔚喂未喂魏苇蟼 未蠀谓维渭蔚喂蟼 苇尉蟿蟻伪 蟺伪蟻胃苇谓慰 蔚位伪喂蠈位伪未慰 蠀蟺谓慰未蠅渭维蟿喂慰 位蔚蠀魏维 蔚委未畏 m伪尉喂位维蟻喂伪 蠉蟺谓慰蠀 laura ashley greece 苇蟺喂蟺位慰 蟻慰蠉蠂蠅谓 蟿慰委蠂慰蠀 kmstoredesign 蔚蟺委蟿慰喂蠂伪 苇蟺喂蟺位伪 蟺伪喂蠂谓喂未喂伪 蟽蟿蟻伪蟿畏纬喂魏畏蟽 蠁伪谓蟿伪蟽喂伪蟽 doom the board game 蟺喂维蟿伪 蠁伪纬畏蟿慰蠉 christina 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚委伪 未蔚蟻渭维蟿喂谓…

  35. rag e bone vestito di seta

    1920s viola flapper vestito vintage allacciato al collo neck vestito red e nero vestito code fitted vestito with ruffle hem blush rosa prom vestiti short lungo plus size camicie to wear with leggings chaussures trail salomon gcs running noir yf g pg ve…

  37. shein sweaters review

    vinterjackor dam snygg vinterjacka 2018 bubbleroom grossist herr kavajslag vertikal rand skarvning enkelkn盲ppt popul盲ra sneakers snygg matt gummi skal till iphone 8 plus 0 hj盲lm 509 altitude carbon orange t shirt med tryck dam s盲lja vit vans open road…

  38. 5 茅v kiterjesztett garancia

    hjelp til barn som trenger det lister24 better bodies waverly tights sangria red treningsklå¿™r treningsklå¿™r dame tights til dame better bodies joyroad dekk kjé…¶p billig pæ°“ nettet de blir brudepike og brudesvenn underholdning aldersblandede grupper fub la…

  39. come distinguere dai vivi miscellaneo 2019

    住讜讻专讬讜转 讙诇讬 住驻讜专讟 讘讟注诐 转驻讜讝 sport beans谞讝专 诇诪爪讞 诇讻诇讛 转讻砖讬讟 砖讬注专 诇讻诇讛 转讻砖讬讟 诇诪爪讞 转讻砖讬讟讬诐 诇讻诇讜转转讬拽讬诐 mac israel e commerce site讗讬讻讜转 讙讘讜讛讛 注讙讬诇讬 诪驻转 讬爪专谉 注讙讬诇讬 诪驻转 讗驻专讬拽讛 讘

  41. nieuwste desktop pc

    zapatillas merrell mujer amazon zapatos salon geox jordan retro 4 mujer precio uniforme de la selecciè´¸n mexicana para dream league soccer puma ignite mujer rosa bambas camper mujer nike de basquetbol rebajas calzado nike

  43. zapatillas converse de cuero

    pantalones sueltos de mujer carrefour trajes para caballero boda kiabi horario de apertura chaquetas para ir de boda audifonos huawei y6 precio ropa para bailar hip hop hombre peto tejano barato outlet camisas de marca hombre

  45. cars 3 skoletaske med gymnastiktaske

    guess fiore logo brown womens eco leather wedge trainers 37 amazon tommy bahama magnificent canvas sandals beach walker tommy bahama papillio lola frosted metallic silver leather by birkenstock footprints lawrence leather sandals straps natural color g…

  46. wei脽e blusen von esprit

    pantaloni uomo elastici jeans slim fit strappi ginocchio skinny aderenti nero set 100 pezzi strumenti divisori separatori dita unghia yves saint laurent occhiali da sole uomo primavera estate gil bret donna giacca donna argento silver white occhiali vi…

  47. velk茅 rohov茅 seda膷ky 3. str谩nka 膷echovka

    d臎tsk茅 nè°©u拧nice b铆l茅 啪lut茅 zlato 膷esk茅 zlatnictv铆 brno chladni膷ka komb. goddess lednice voln臎 stoj铆c铆 p艡estavba nè°©dra啪铆 v kladn臎 nov茅 veden铆 m臎sta ji chce sada pro otisk a fotku hand print hn臎d媒 rè°©m ko啪en茅 pè°©nsk茅 sandè°©ly zn.arizona vel.42 nov茅 zimn铆 ot…

  49. losse sierlijke tak

    naked adam kostuumkopen heren adidas schoenen adidas i 5923 schoenen onlineshaolin monnik kleding kopen shaolin kung fu kleding nederlandesprit winterjas met dons navy e400

  50. prodlileto

    sac rehard adidas neo canvas rosado blanco nike air force 1 downtown qs brazil matalan ladies summer shoes sweat psg noir jordan sacoche homme noir cuir

Comments are closed.