h a l f b a k e r yChewable.
add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random
news, help, about, links, report a problem
browse anonymously,
or get an account
and write.
register,
login
|
|
|
Bike/Tuba
A bicycle which becomes a brass instrument when folded |
| |
(+5)
| |
|
|
Bikes are substantially composed of tubular metal pieces joined together. So are brass instruments. The vehicles also have gears, brakes and lamps. Therefore, each, carefully designed, can become the other. So: a bike mainly made of brass with rigid but padded tyre tubing linked to the frame via
rubber seals which can be slipped into place after folding, a mouthpiece under the saddle, a hydraulic gear and braking system which can have the fluid drained so it can be used to alter the pitch of vibrations passing through the tubes, and finally a lamp housing which is hollow and continuous with the other tubing. To convert to a brass instrument, fold the bike together, remove the saddle, drain the fluid into a temporary reservoir, unscrew the lamp and move the rubber seals into place, then play it by changing gears for different notes, which are like the finger pieces on a trumpet.
Ideal for cycling to busking and performances.
Bicyle/Harp
Bicycle_20Harp
[xenzag, Sep 23 2025]
|
| |
Why not? A bicycle orchestra would be good to extend the idea. In this case all of the musicians arrive by bicyle, with each one being converted into a different instrument to form the ensemble. We have the Tuba; the Harp is in the link; with a bit of creative imagination we can make the rest. |
|
| |
Halve the setup and breakdown time by incorporating a reservoir and neutral storage for the non-essential parts of the bike mode, essentially rotating and folding the frame etc into the music mode. No need to drain or move seals and controls. |
|
| |
A further mod would be to make it playable while riding. Wow. A whole brass band, pedaling their brass off. |
|
| |
Thanks. There can, then, be a string and a wind section, also percussion. Wondering what else? Tubular bells seem quite straightforward, and maybe a slide whistle using the pump. |
|
| |
The tubular frame of a bike lends itself to being parted out to pitched whistles that either depend on the speed and direction of the prevailing breeze, or - much better - uses air like a pipe organ that was pumped up along with the pedaling. |
|
| |
I wonder if valves like on a trumpet or holes and pads like a sax could be employed to play while touring with the orchestra. The Non-AI Bicycle Orchestra. |
|
| |
Skins stretched into the frame will enable them to become a variety of drums, and because the wheels have spokes, these could also be tuned and played in a number of ways. The tublular frame is a natural choice for wind purposes. |
|
| |
Won't you need the lamp to read the sheet music? |
|
| |
The lamp could stay wired in if you like. It could be pedal-powered. |
|
| |
This orchestra is really filling out. There are some problems. |
|
| |
Back to the tuba: If the tuba was to be a mobile, fully-functioning bike/tuba, it must have a large resonant bell, perhaps the space between the knees could be filled with a flattened horn, much like Xenzag's stretched drum skins in the frame, but rigid and plumbed to the air pressure reservoir. |
|
| |
Flaps, maracas, or tuning forks may be added to the wheels to add percussion and droning by striking the road surface, and since the orchestra is moving at the same rate, any wheel-mounted additions should stay in time. |
|
| |
Gee, we haven't thought about how to incorporate kites... |
|
| |
[Previous marked for tagline] |
|
| |