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Test yourself: Can you tell the difference between music and noise? - Hanako Sawada

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5,540 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 1960, composer John Cage went on television to share his latest work. But rather than using traditional instruments, Cage appeared surrounded by household clutter, including a bathtub, ice cubes, a toy fish, a rubber duck, several radios, and performed “Water Walk.” Most people watching had the same question: is this even music? Hanako Sawada explores the boundaries between music and noise.

Find some sounds and/or instruments. What are some “instruments” you found and how might you play them (in one or more ways)?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Hanako Sawada
  • Director Héloïse Dorsan Rachet
  • Narrator Pen-Pen Chen
  • Music Jarrett Farkas
  • Sound Designer and Mixer Weston Fonger
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Senior Producer Anna Bechtol
  • Associate Producer Sazia Afrin
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Senior Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Special Thanks Edition Peters Group, Naxos of America

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