Laughter and singing help us pass the time and connect to others. Telling jokes and making music can also aid in our socialization and development as well as alleviating our anxieties. Find out about the jokes cycles and playground songs that help children cope with their world and learn how to operate in the world at large. We’re joined by Fernando Orejuela from Indiana University in our exploration of the sounds of the playground.

Explore:

• Stop Me If You’ve Heard This: A History and Philosophy of Jokes by Jim Holt
• American Children’s Folklore by Simon J. Cronner
• The Musical Playground: Global Tradition and Change in Children’s Songs and Games by Kathryn Marsh

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Bob Paquette has been collecting microphones for over six decades. His collection resides in his microphone museum that resides in the building that houses his family business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bob shared his knowledge of microphones and audio technology as well as anecdotes about the ill-fated Turner “Colortone” microphones, performers’ fears about using early microphones, and how portions of his collection ended up in the hands of a famous director. For more on microphones, you can check out Bob’s book, The History and Evolution of the Microphone.

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You can find this episodes transcript by clicking this link.

In a previous episode, we visited the Rhythm! Discovery Center in Indianapolis. We shared the story behind Clair Omar Musser’s celestaphone, which is an instrument made entirely of meteorites. Matthew Altizer, The Percussive Arts Society, and Rhythm! Discovery Center wanted to share a recording of the instrument since it is one-of-a-kind and unlikely to be played again. Enjoy the sounds of Clair Omar Musser’s celestaphone and visit the Rhythm! Discovery Center in Indianapolis to see it in person!

You can find this episode’s transcript by clicking this link.