Harmonica vs Glockenspiel

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We're so excited to be back with an epic new season, and it's all thanks to our smarty past members. They're the big hearted helpers who power us by joining at smartypass.org. You can be one of them. Your support helps pay our debaters and sound designers so we can keep making the fun and fact-filled shows your family loves. Plus, you get ad free versions of all of our shows, bonus stuff and access to virtual hangs with me, Molly. Again, that's smartypass.org. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now, on with the show. From the brains behind brainson, it's Smash Boom Best. The show for people with big opinions. Hi, I'm Molly Bloom and this is Smash Boom Best. The show where we take two things, smash them together, and ask you to decide which one is best. Today, it's a musical meltdown as we pit harmonious harmonicas against glorious glockensheels, two amazing instruments, only one winner, who will it be? This meet our debaters. First they can be soothing or rocking. Give it up for the glockensheel and voice actor, Mark Dwin. Hey! Woo! Yeah! Sorry, just wrote into my glockmo deal, so... And he's a comedian who blows a mean mouth harp for team harmonica. It's Auroon Woldus Lassi. Come in a big bad wolf because I'm about to blow you away. Woo! And the conductor for this symphonic Smackdown is our judge, Vichal from Calgary, Alberta. He loves dungeons and dragons. Sonic the Hedgehog. His mom's curry to potatoes and he wants to be a lawyer someday. Hi, Vichal. Hello. So, Vichal, you are the second judge we've had this season who loves dungeons and dragons. I'm wondering what do you love about it? Uh, it's just really fun that... We can do whatever we want. There's no rules. So, what is your character's name? So at the moment, I have a character named Tube Orn Audible. He is a bard and that is a pun on Shakespeare. Excellent. You know we love puns here, as San Ashman best. What is your character sort of like a main quality? So he's really good at playing his instrument, but he has stage fright. Oh, what instrument does he play? He plays the fiddle. Interesting. Okay. Very appropriate for today's debate. Do you play any musical instruments? I play the piano and I'm also percussion on my school band. Oh, very cool. Have you played the Glockenspiel? Yes. Have you played the harmonica? I tried it once. Hmm, okay. Okay. So, what would you like to pass on to our debaters today from all your debating experience? Puns are pretty great for debates because, well, not only can it be a good argument, but it can also make the other person laugh. And if you're funny, you're also more convincing. Oh, excellent, excellent advice. We'll be shall sided with autourone and the harmonica or mwork and the Glockenspiel. We're about to find out, but first here are the rules. Every debate consists of four rounds, the Declaration of Greatness. The Micra Round, the Steak Attack, and the Final Six. After each round, our judge Vishal will award points to the team that impresses him the most, but he'll keep his decisions top secret until the end of the debate. Listeners, we want you to judge too. Mark down your points as you listen. At the end of the show, head to our website smashboom.org and vote for whichever team you take one. Okay. Autourone, mwork and Vishal, are you ready? It's time to do this. I'm ready to rock and roll and play the blues. Any genre, really? Very, very. Wonderful. Then it's time for the Declaration of Greatness. In this round, our debaters will present a well-crafted, immersive argument in favor of their side. Then they'll each have 30 seconds to rebut their opponent's statements. We flip to coin and autourone your up first. Tell us why harmonicas are music to your ears. Monicas are cool for many reasons, but a big one is that they're small. So you can bring one with you anywhere. As little Greg found out when he got into trouble. Oh, geez, I can't believe I got pun time out. You and me both. Howdy there partner. I'm Zach. Welcome to Time Out. Over there we've got Steve who plays the mouth organ. And Tanya who likes to play the French harp. Hello. And I play the teen sandwich. Outthorking? Front short? Ten sandwich? Or those wall-sounding instruments? Well, there are harmonicas, buddy boy. Harmonicas have tons of names and come in tons of styles. It's the perfect instrument to play while you're stuck in Time Out. Heck, I was putting Time Out for farting on my friend Spaghetti. And now I can already play this. And I was putting Time Out for burping in my sister. And now I can play this. I was putting Time Out for insider trading. Now I can play this. Wow, you guys sound incredible. Here I have a spare. Give it a go. Getting in trouble is bad, but getting a harmonica is definitely good. If you haven't seen or played one yourself, the harmonica is a small read instrument with little holes on the sign. You blow or inhale through those holes to make music. Harmonicas kind of look like a metal candy bar. And they sound just a sweet. Plus, they fit any type of music. Make this soul song by Stevie Wonder. Or this rock song by Bob Dylan. Or this Bob song by Pitbull. And they do sound effects too. Like for example, is that a train or a tin sandwich? Sounds like a train, but fits in your pocket. It makes sense that the harmonica is good at impersonations. One of its early relatives was something called a Val organ. He was invented into late 1700s by a Dutch physician and physicist. He hoped one day people could use it to impersonate human speech. Ladies and gentlemen, behold my new invention, the mechanical voice box. This will allow people who can't talk to speak again. Whoa, this thing sounds amazing. We should play it at parties. Actually, it's a medical device. Yeah, it is because it's freaking sick. The original Val organ was the size of a piano. Even like the cell phone and the computer, but unlike the Glocking spiel, this instrument got smaller and smaller as it got more popular. Eventually, it became the harmonica. By the 1900s, harmonicas were played all over the world. And even above it. On Christmas Day in 1965, a US astronaut floating in a spaceship busted out a little harmonica to play jingle bells. It was the first instrument ever played in space. And get this, the astronaut snuck that harmonica on board because obviously his Glocking spiel wouldn't fit. Truly the harmonica packs big fun in a little package. That's why so many people play it. From Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Little Walter, and… Me, Greg. They can't time out from before. Check it out. Wow, amazing. How long did it take you to learn that? About as long as it takes to realize harmonicas are better than Glocking spiels. Why, that's not very long at all. So if you like a portable melodic instrument that sounds good in any genre, pick up a mouth-workin, a French harp, a tin sandwich, whatever you call it, just grab yourself a harmonica. Excellent, excellent work. I didn't know there were so many different words for harmonica. Incredible. Vishal, what's it out to you about auto-owns declaration of greatness? I find it really interesting that harmonicas were first built to imitate human speech. I didn't know that. That was actually really cool. And then the thing about them having a lot of names, also really awesome. I didn't know that. Tin sandwich. Merck, it is time for your rebuttal. Tell us why harmonicas are just blowing hot air. You've got 30 seconds and your time starts now. Okay, you said that Glocking spiels were not small and portable. Actually, they vary in size. The one I have folds up and you could fit it inside a backpack. Also you said that harmonicas, they got smaller like computers, unlike the Glocking spiel. There's a big Glocking spiel in Germany. It's like a whole building and again, the mine puts in a backpack. Also you said the harmonicas like a metal candy bar. How about 24 candy bars because you got metal bars on the Glocking spiel. Also, why do you fart in each other's spaghetti? What's up with that? I just want to say that 24 candy bars is wildly unhealthy. That's too many candy bars. One candy bar is all you need. Also, you can fold it up and put it into your backpack, which I'm sure is so jam-packed with Glocking spiel stuff. Whereas I can take my harmonica, put in my backpack, climb a mountain, get on the mountain top and place some beautiful blues to the entire world. It's true. It's a different vibe. But like, you know, you got this Glocking spiel sticking out of your backpack or they actually make specific cases for it and people go, hey, what's that? Ooh, look at those mallets. It peaks people's curiosity and it gives them the opportunity to learn something cool. This instrument that they might have not seen before. Okay, Vishal, think all that musical mayhem over. We'll be right back after this. Back to the action. Merck, it's time for your declaration. Give us your best Glocking spiel for this interesting instrument. The German language has a lot of words that just perfectly somewhat very specific feelings. Like, tripendits. That's when someone says something witty or maybe insulting to you and you can't think of a good response, but then after you leave, the perfect comeback hits you. Oh, that's what I should have said. Classic tripendits. Or storm fry. That's the feeling of fun and freedom you get when you're a kid who's old enough to be left at home alone. I have the whole place to myself. Woo, storm fry. And then there's the best German word of all. Are you ready for this? I'm not sure you're ready for this. It's Glocking spiel. That's right. Literally translating to playing bells. It really means the feeling you get when you play the world's most perfect musical instrument. Well, that's the feeling I get when I say the word. Glocking spiel. The Glocking spiel is a percussion instrument. It's a series of metal bars in a row that go from biggest to smallest. They can be the size of a table or as small as the shoebox depending on the type of sound you need. When you strike the metal bars with the mallet, it makes the most beautiful, clear ringing tone. Is that the sound of magic? The sound of delight? Of a wish coming true? Yes, and yes, and yes. Much better than some instruments that sound like for a rusty door struggling to open all at once. Lots of schools have Glocking spiels in their music classrooms because they are easy to play. In fact, it was the first instrument I ever learned. Now picture this. Little Mark walks into the music room. Music class. My favorite time of the day. She glances around. There's a ukulele. Nice, but looks tricky. A box of egg shakers. Colorful, but kind of limited. And then little Mark sees it. A flat wooden box, kind of like a big pencil case, and on top shiny flat metal bars. Let's see what happens when I tap them. Wow. That's glorious. I didn't really know what I was doing, but it still sounded good because the Glocking spiel is a very forgiving instrument that gives kids confidence to keep exploring and experimenting. I didn't play many other instruments growing up. I had lots of friends who did. And seeing how they tapped into their interests and musical stank faces, you know, the one when someone's like really jamming out was inspiring. I never considered myself much of a musician, but the Glocking spiel helped me to connect musically. By the time I was an adult, I moved on to other experiments. But one day I was walking down the street and it hit me. Oh yes, Glocking spiel is also the sound of a good idea hitting you. I thought, hey, I'm a grown up. I have money. I can buy my own Glocking spiel. It felt so good being reunited with my first musical love. Ah, I forgot to mention, it's also the sound of falling in love. Most of other people love it too. Fist, Canadian indie pop royalty, use the Glocking spiel to add whimsy and excitement to the end of her song, Mushibum. Bruce Springsteen, a rock and roll icon known to his fans as the boss, used a Glocking spiel on one of his biggest hits. And then, of course, there's the OG star of classical music, Boy Wonder, Wolfgang, Amadeus Mozart. The Glocking spiel is featured prominently in one of his greatest operatic hits, The Magic Flute. So the Glocking spiel sounds beautiful, works in all kinds of songs, is great for kids and my stroza like, and super fun to say. Oh yeah, and the Glocking spiel is also the sound of a winning argument. Wow, that declaration was music to my ears, Vishal. What did you think about Mark's declaration? What stood out to you? I do like that you mentioned how Glocking spiel is really easy to learn, but that's also a little bit untrue because I actually doing pieces correct. It's pretty difficult. It was pretty funny though, so I'll give you that. Nice, I'll take it. You know, sometimes it's not about being correct, music, it's about just jam and getting that stank face on. But I hear you, I hear you. I think being correct. Save it for the rebuttal. Okay, Otterone, it's time for your rebuttal. Why do you think Glocking spiel always hit a sour note? You've got 30 seconds and your time starts now. You know, you mentioned a lot of things about Glocking spiel, but just Glocking spiel because that's the thing about Glocking spiel. It's only got the one name, which makes it, I feel like it's a pretty good sign that's not universally appreciated. You know, if something's really liked, it's got a lot of different names, a lot of key factors that go into naming it. Second thing, you said people play Glocking spiel over, people like to play it. You know where they haven't played it? Space, so there's that. Also, you said Bruce Springsteen played the Glocking spiel. You know what he also played? The harmonica. Stop it. Stop. Hey, you know, the Glocking spiel just has the one name because it's that recognizable. It's all I got to say, less or more. Unless you know, you're talking about Metal Bar as the more the merrier than Glocking spiel. I mean, yeah, I like Metal Bar as I think, you know, we should put the Glocking spiel behind some Metal Bar's because it's criminal. How bad it is. That's. Yeah. Yeah, you like that? Yeah. Tell that to all the songs that have used the Glocking spiel, they're using yikes. I'd rather tell the harmonica and his good friend, the Tin Sandwich and his better friend, the Mouth organ. Okay, we shall. It is time to award some points. Please give one point to the Declaration of Greatness that you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that won you over. You get to decide what makes a winning argument. Did one team's jokes make you giggle? Was another team's logic impeccable? Was it wonderful? Award your points, but don't tell us who they're going to. Have you made your decision? Yes, I have. Excellent. Mark and Adirone, how are you two feeling so far? Pretty good. I'm just thinking about some of the things said earlier and you know, like the Glocking spiel is pretty forgiving because even if you mess up, like it still sounds pretty, but like the harmonica, I mean like you could blow too loud and someone would be like, ow, my ears and then you have to pay for liability because you know, they have to go to the hospital for your damage. Okay. I want you to, I want listeners to know like you can absolutely get injured on the Glocking spiel. You could just as easily throw that mallet under your hand, break a finger. Throw it. Yes. Is there really light in mallets? Oh, I think it's like they are in fact very light. I mean, where do you drop them and they hit the, what do you see? What do you see? Drop it and it hits its lands on your foot. Then you got a broken toe. Then you can't like, I hear some logical fantasy being banned. If you drop like a Glocking spiel or the mallet, because if you drop a Glocking spiel and it would hurt, but why are you picking up a Glocking spiel? You apparently got to move it around, right? That's what you're trying to say. And I'll give that to you, okay? Thank you. Thanks a lot. Well, it's time for a quick break. Practice your scales and brush up on your musical notation. And we'll be right back with some more Smash Boom Best. You're listening to State of Debate, home to Rage and Redaric and awe-inspiring argumentation. What's up, my debate debuts? This is Todd Douglas and I'm here with my friend till the end, Taylor Lincoln. Shh, my neighbors are feuding. They've been arguing all week. I can't even handle all the logical fallacies they've been throwing at each other. Oof, those are debate mistakes that make your argument easy to defeat. Correct, Amanda. Let's listen in. I'm telling you, Belinda, you're in a law-and-a-long flamingos or driving down property values for the entire neighborhood. You really should put up lawn-nomes instead, much classier. I should know. I had one of the best ones on the block. And the gorgeous gnome he was. I know you've been sniffing after him to add to your collection. I have so many gnomes of my own. This one came with its own little shovel, and I loved him. He sounds like a real sweetie. Belinda, did you take my garden gnome? You loved tacos. What? No, I don't. I'm pretty sure you do, and why wouldn't you? They're delicious. Tacos? I thought we were discussing garden gnome's. Whoa, Belinda really threw a curveball in that combo. She sure did. Belinda was using a red-haired fallacy. That's where she changed the subject mid-to-bait because she was scurting the real issue. Tacos really are the best. She really are, even though they had nothing to do with whether she stole Barry's garden gnome. So did she steal it? Well, never know. See you next time, on… Stay up to date! Smash Boom! You're listening to Smash Boom Best I'm your host, Molly Bloom, and I'm your judge visual. And we'd love getting debate suggestions from our listeners like this one from listener Rosie. She pitched us Lions vs Grizzly Bears. At debate has some real bite. Truly. We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Rosie thinks should win. And now it's back to the debate. Gloucenspiel vs. Hormoneka. That's right, and it's time for round two, the… Micro round. It's time for a fact off. Mark and Otter and Will each get three chances to make a microargument backed by a cool fact or idea. Otter and Will went first last time, so Mark, you start us off. Okay, so the Gloucenspiel. You said that it's just one no… You know, Gloucenspiel doesn't have a tin sandwich name. However, it is technically a percussion instrument. So it's like a drum. And it's one of the rare ones that can also make a really mean melody. So the whole… Oh, it's just got one thing. It's actually… it belongs to a big family of instruments. Hmm. You know the Hormoneka? It's got some pretty incredible stories behind it. Like, legend has it that the old West icons like Billy the Kid and Wyatt Earp played the Hormoneka. Probably like, well, looking super cool, leaning against the old saloon, like tipping their hat, watching old tumbleweeds fly by, roll by. Okay, sure. Hormoneka's are cool. My grandpa played one. Really cool. But I can't think of a single Hormoneka that's a tourist attraction, but Gloucenspiels, there's a super famous one in Germany, and it's the old kind that uses bells, because you know, Gloucenspiels evolved. And the bells are a part of a clock tower that's got a bunch of mechanical figures, huge tourist attraction, plays several times a day, and crowds gather every day to just listen to that music. So Gloucenspiels, they're pretty cool. They got stories in their own. That's really interesting, Mark. People coming in to listen to the Gloucenspiel a couple times a day. You know what's even better than a couple times a day? 24 hours in a day, because that's the longest anyone has ever played the Hormoneka without taking a break, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Bonnie B played a full day of gnarly notes in 2009 all on the Hormoneka. So like going to the bathroom during those 24 hours, just like playing the... That's a question I have. Oh, okay. Another fact. You know, the first Gloucenspiels were made with little bells. I know I just mentioned in Germany, they're like, you know, part of the building. It's huge. But they are known for their magical whimsy and charm, even though, sure, the Hormoneka is associated with specific genres and multiple genres of music. There's something so specific about a Gloucenspiel that even if you're playing a song of a different genre, you know they're especially. Oh, that's a Gloucenspiel. Even if you don't know the name, you're like, it's that one instrument and it just puts a smell on your face. Hmm. Hmm. You know, lots of people have been saying, oh, that one instrument about the Hormoneka for kind of a really long time. In fact, the Hormoneka's roots go back to 1100 BCE to a Chinese instrument called the Gang, grooving awesome sounds are timeless. Hmm. Oh, my goodness. What a fact off. Which one of these is that instrument? Vishal, what's it up to you about this mic around? So the thing about how old Hormoneka's are, that was cool. But also my one question about 24 or 7 Hormoneka was that actually music or were they just like playing it while doing their everyday activities? Great question. That's a really great question. I think I respect the people of Guinness, the Guinness Bookwork of World Records to make sure that Bonnie wasn't just playing any sounds. She was probably playing beautiful music. And honestly, that's one of the magical things about the Hormoneka. Even when you're not trying to play beautiful music, you're playing beautiful music. Hmm. I can say the same thing for the Gloucenspiel though, because I mean, like, you know, wow, that's so beautiful. And even if I'm like kind of sad, that's still really beautiful. Vishal, it is time to award a point for this mic around. The criteria are totally subjective and totally up to you. Please award that point, but don't tell us who it's going to. Have you made your decision? I have. Perfect. Perfect. Keep it a secret and we'll be right back. Want Smash Boom Best without the ad breaks? Join Smarty Pass and get an ad free feed of this and all the other brains on universe shows. Plus you'll get to do virtual hangs with me and the crew and discounts on merch. Sign up at brainson.org. Thanks. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, smash, boom, smash, boom, rest. Hot, so let's keep cooking with our third round. The super stealthy Sneak Attack. This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot. Today's sneak attack is called slogan earring. Your job is to come up with a few slogans for your side, like Skittles, Taste the Rainbow, or Nike's, just do it. But since we're talking music, I want you to use your instruments to make a jingle that goes along with your slogan. So let's start with you, Otterone. Let's hear a slogan for Harmonicas. Harmonicas. Don't forget to pack a tin sandwich. Mmm, yummy. Okay. Okay, almighty. All right, work. It's your turn. Please give us a slogan for Glocken Spells. Lock in to the Glocken spiel, no matter how you feel. Very nice. All right. So I'm going to do a little spin for this next one since we're talking of instruments. What about a little jingle for your slogan this time, maybe with a little music accompaniment from your instrument? Ooh. Otterone, you want to play a little harmonica and tell us a slogan? The harmonica is a mouth organ. Be a donor. Very nice. Okay, Mark. Let's hear your final pitch for the glory of Glocken Spells. Okay. Okay. Glocken spiel. Malit, the palette. No, wait, hold on. Hold on. You can pal it with your mallets with the Glocken spiel. Oh, man. Very nice. We really put the each of the tests this time with this snake attack. If you shall, please think about which side slogans and tunes impressed you the most was one super catchy, was one inspiring, a word your fourth point, but don't tell us who it's going to. Have you made your decision? I have. Perfect. Then it's time for our final round. The final six. In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side. Feel free to use your instrument or not totally up to you. Music will not count against your six words. Okay. Merck, let's hear your six words symphony for Glocken spiels. Multiplicitous metallic musical Glocken spiel. Wonderful. Okay. Auto-own is your last chance to let us hear it for harmonicas. Guys, harmonicas will blow you away. Hmm, very nice. Okay, Vishal, it is time to award a final point for this final six. Have you made your decision? Yes, I have. Are you ready to crown one instrument the smash boom best? Yes, I am. All right, drum roll, please. And the winner is Glocken spiels. Oh, my goodness, Vishal, was there a moment that decided things for you? What was your favorite part? It was tied until the final six. Oh, no. It was back and forth until final six. As close as close can be. Aron, you brought so many facts. It's been around for a long time. It's harmonicas. It's a really cool instrument. And again, my grandpa played that, and he's not here anymore. So it just makes me happy thinking of people bringing life to this instrument. Merk, you are so talented, quippy, witty, and delightful. I didn't know, I didn't know hardly anything about the Glocken spiel until I had to debate you. You made this instrument not just sound incredible, but feel incredible just to learn everything about it. And that is it for today's debate battle. Vishal, crowned Glocken, you should be able to smash boom best, but what about you? Go to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who you think won. This episode was produced by me, Molly Bloom, Mark Sanchez, and Sandin Totten. It was signed by Mark Sanchez, and he also wrote our theme song. We had engineering help from Donovan Kelly. Our announcer is Marley Floreau, Riker Otto, and we're going to give us special thanks to Austin Carsten Taylor Kaufman. And on our own, is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to today? I want to give a special shout out to my mom, who bought me my very first sharmannika. Thanks mom, I love you. How about you, Merk, any special shout outs? My elementary school music teachers who introduced me to this wonderful instrument. That's wonderful, and how about you Vishal, any special thanks for shout outs? I'd like to thank my parents for bringing me here. I'd like to thank you guys for having me on the show. And I'd like to thank my band teacher for teaching me how to play both of these instruments. Oh, I love this! Alright, before we go, let's check in and see who Rosie thinks should win the debate between lions and grizzly bears. I think lions would win because lions can run 50 miles per hour, and grizzlies can only run 35. Lions have a big fuzzy mane that protects them from bites. Lions have a powerful bite, and that's why I think lions are the best born best. If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any age, and you have an idea for a knockdown drag out debate, head to smashboom.org slash contact and drop us a line. And if you're a fan of the show and want to keep it going, head to smartypass.org to subscribe. We'll be back next week with a new Smash Boom Best episode, Pigs vs Frogs. Bye! Goodbye! This spiel is over! Have a nice day! Oh, you have a smash boom best! Oh, you have a smash boom best! Oh, you have a smash boom best! Oh, you have a smash boom best! Oh, you have a smash boom best! You have a smash boom best! You have a smash boom best! Okay. Harmonicas. I got it. All right. Harmonica. I don't know if that was it.