Elephant Orchestra
August 21st, 2006
What does an orchestra of elephants sound like? Apparently, not that bad. The Thai Elephant Conservatory near Lampang, Thailand has developed instruments such as harmonicas, theremins, and gongs that are easy for elephants to make sound with:
1. the instruments must be adapted to the elephant’s anatomy, which means large instruments operated by the trunk;
2. the instruments must withstand the jungle, including heat and monsoons;
3. there should require negligible upkeep;
4. the instruments should sound Thai, because the audience is Thai, the mahouts would enjoy the music more, and the elephants have heard Thai music throughout their lives.
This of course calls into question what the difference between music and noise is – whether it requires intent, the following of musical rules, or even humans. Is this a more pure form of music or have these elephants sold out?
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