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Have You Seen This? Boomwhacker Bach
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While the boomwhacker performance of Prelude No. 1 isnt flawless, it is mesmerizing and at times unbelievable. Watching these five men choreograph passing back and forth more than 20 boomwhackers for nearly four minutes is almost like watching close-up magic. - photo by John Clyde


MUSIC LAND Johann Sebastian Bachs Prelude No. 1 is almost immediately recognized by anyone who hears it. Maybe you dont know the name or who the composer behind its methodic and haunting melody, but you most likely have heard it before. Odds are, however, that youve never heard it quite like this.

When Bach composed this famous piece he likely never assumed it would be played by five men using hollow sticks called boomwhackers. No, thats not a great name for anything, but thats what theyre called.

While the boomwhacker performance of Prelude No. 1 isnt flawless, it is mesmerizing and at times unbelievable. Watching these five men choreograph passing back and forth more than 20 boomwhackers for nearly four minutes is almost like watching close-up magic. You see the trick happening right in front of your face, but you cant believe its actually happening.

Sure, these guys arent making anything disappear or magically levitate, but the time it must have taken to prepare and compose this intricate performance is mind-boggling. Add to that the fact that all five men had to remember what stick they were passing to what man with which hand and your brain almost melts and you think to yourself, Thats incredible, and I never want to attempt it.

Well, maybe some of you are more ambitious than I am, but regardless, this is a pretty amazing video to watch. So, enjoy.