Mind Bending, Circuit Bending Field Trip

Yesterday we took an amazing trip to the Old Town School of Folk Music to learn about creating music – not from guitars and violins, but from a tongue depressor, slinky, and discarded electronic toys.

Patrick McCarthy, half of a dynamic electronic duo called Roth Mobot, was our guide. Using simple microphones and electronic tools, he showed the kids how to get Star Wars blaster sounds from a slinky, and creepy horror movie music from a tongue depressor and violin bow. Amazing stuff. View more pictures from the trip here.

McCarthy's and his band are perhaps best known for modifying the beeps and voices from old kids' toys into bizarre electronic music. More about their "circuit bending" approach can be found on the Roth Mobot website.

A huge thanks to Patrick for inspiring the kids, and Jenna Murfin at the Old Town School for arranging the trip!