Marxy's Musical Saw

Marxhausen was able to play music on a saw. Notice that he's in colorful corduroy pants, which he seems to have worn a lot around campus. His wife told me she made him some of his unique clothing.

Photos of Marxy

Some things never change. Decades ago, these students were enjoying the same musical headsets you can find in Marxhausen's studio today.

You can make out a door knob, an object which clearly intrigued Marxhausen.

A fascinating portrait of Marxy in his studio.

A gallery space for Marxhausen's work:

Styrofoam shapes similar to the ones he showed Letterman.

Stereo Wires

Pictured above, one of my classmates tries out a sound helmet. It's a similar concept to the other sound makers Marxy showed Letterman. Pictured below is the same stereo doorknob set featured on that show.

Below, one of my classmates tries out a helmet with a similar concept.

Pickety Wickety Clickity Clack

A picket fence does not have to look even. It can be uneven just as well. When it is uneven, the sound will be more interesting when the neighborhood boy comes by with his stick to drag along the staves.

Long sticks make low notes. Short sticks make high notes.

Cut the sticks and tune them. Arrange them so a recognizable tune can be played.

Let the boy and the neighborhood discover that the fence has a tune.

Let the Neighborhood discover why the fence is so uneven.

Change the tune each year.

Make a wooden fence in a circle. Tune the interchangeable sticks so you can play a round. Three children running around and clacking the fence at the same speed can play the round.

An essay written by Marx.