George Brecht Happenings
Drip Music
For single or multiple performance. A source
of dripping water and an empty vessel are arranged so that the water falls
into the vessel.
1959
Drip Music, Second Version
Dripping
1959
Drip Music, Fluxversion 1
First performer on a tall ladder pours water
from a pitcher very slowly down into the bell of a French horn or tuba
held in the playing position by a second performer at floor level.
1959
Time-Table Event
To occur in a railway station.
A time table is obtained. A tabulated time
indication is interpreted in
minutes and seconds (for example, 7:16
equals 7 minutes and 16 seconds).
This determines the duration of the event.
1961
Incidental Music
Five piano pieces, any number of which may
be played in succession, simultaneously, in any order and combination,
with one another or with other pieces.
1. The piano seat is tilted on its base
and brought to rest against a part of the piano.
2. Wooden blocks. A single block is placed
inside the piano. A block is placed upon this block, then a third upon
the second, and so forth, one by one, until at least one block falls from
the column.
3. Photographing the piano situation.
4. Three dried peas or beans are dropped,
one after another, onto the keyboard. Each such seed remaining on the keyboard
is attached to the key or keys nearest it with a single piece of pressure-sensitive
tape.
5. The piano seat is suitably arranged
and the performer seats himself.
Word Event
Exit.
1961
Word Event, Fluxversion 1
The audience is instructed to leave the theater.
1961
Tea Event
preparing
empty vessel
1961
Tea Event, Fluxversion 1
Distill tea in a still.
1961
Two Durations
red
green
1961
Two Elimination Events
empty vessel
empty vessel
1961
Two Vehicle Events
start
stop
1961
Three Telephone Events
When the telephone rings, it is allowed to
continue ringing until it stops.
When the telephone rings, the receiver
is lifted, then replaced.
When the telephone rings, it is answered.
1961
Three Lamp Events
on. off.
lamp
off. on.
1961
Three Aqueous Events
ice
water
steam
1961
Three Window Events
opening a closed window
closing an open window
1961
Three Broom Events
broom
sweeping
broom sweepings
1961
Three Yellow Events
I yellow yellow yellow
II yellow loud
III red
1961
Three Yellow Events, Fluxversion 1
3 yellow slides are projected on a screen.
Pause. One yellow slide is projected and then the projector falls down
on the floor as the slide is removed. After the projector is returned to
its place, a red slide is projected.
1961
Direction
Arrange to observe a sign indicating direction
of travel.
Travel in the indicated direction.
Travel in another direction.
1961
Instruction
Turn on a radio. At the first sound, turn
it off.
1961
No Smoking Event
Arrange to observe a NO SMOKING sign.
smoking
no smoking
1961
Five Events
eating with
between two breaths
sleep
wet hand
several words
1961
Piano Piece
a vase of flowers on (to) a piano.
1962
Organ Piece
organ
1962
Solo for Wind Instrument
(putting it down)
1962
Flute Solo
disassembling
assembling
1962
Saxophone Solo
Trumpet
1962
Saxophone Solo, Fluxversion 1
The piece is announced. Performer enters stage
with an instrument case, places it on a stand, opens it and pulls out a
trumpet, realizes the mistake, puts it quickly back in the case and exits.
1962
Solo for Violin, Viola or Contrabass
polishing
1962
String Quartet
shaking hands
1962
3 Piano Pieces
standing
sitting
walking
1962
Piano Piece
center
1962
Dance Music
gunshot
1962
Concert for Clarinet
nearby
1962
Concert for Clarinet, Fluxversion 1
Clarinet is suspended by a string tied to
its center so that it holds it in a horizontal position about 6 inches
above the performer's mouth. Performer attempts to play a note without
using his hands. He should do this either by swinging the reed end down
or jumping up to it and catching the reed with his mouth.
1962
Concert for Clarinet, Fluxversion 2
A clarinet is positioned upright on the floor.
Performer with a fishing pole, sitting at a distance of a few feet should
attempt to hook, lift and bring to his mouth the reed end of the clarinet.
Concerto for Orchestra
(exchanging)
1962
Concerto for Orchestra, Fluxversion 1
Orchestra members exchange their instruments.
1962
Concerto for Orchestra, Fluxversion 2
Orchestra members exchange their scores.
1962
Concerto for Orchestra, Fluxversion 3
The orchestra is divided into two teams, winds
and strings, sitting in opposing rows. Wind instruments must be prepared
so as to be able to shoot out peas. This can be accomplished by inserting
a long, narrow tube into wind instruments. String instruments are strung
with rubber bands which are used to shoot paper missiles. Performers must
hit a performer on the opposite team with a missile. A performer hit three
times must leave the stage. Missiles are exchanged until all performers
on one side are gone.
Conductor acts as referee.
1962
Entrance-Exit
A smooth linear transition from white noise
to sinus wave tone is broadcast. Title is announced at beginning and at
end, but at end, title is announced by a tape played backward.
1962
Symphony No. 1
Through a hole.
1962
Symphony No. 1, Fluxversion 1
Performers position themselves behind a full
size photo of another orchestra and insert arms through holes cut in the
photo at the shoulders of the photographic musicians. Performers may hold
instruments in the conventional way and attempt to play an old favorite.
In case of wind instruments, holes must be cut at mouths of photographic
musicians.
1962
Symphony No. 2
(turning)
1962
Symphony No. 2, Fluxversion 1
Thick score books are positioned on music
stands in front of the orchestra members. As soon as the conductor begins
to turn the pages of his book, orchestra members start turning theirs.
The books are leafed through either at different rates of speed or same
rate of speed, but all are turned to the last page.
1962
Symphony No. 3
at three
from the tree
all night
at home
on the floor
the yellow ball
in the water
1964
Symphony No. 3, Fluxversion 1
(on the floor)
Orchestra members sit down on the very
forward edge of the chair and hold instruments in ready position. Upon
signal from the conductor, all players slide forward and fall smoothly
off their chairs in unison.
1964
Octet for Winds
Equal number of performers seat themselves
opposite each other. A large pan of water is placed between the two groups
and a toy sailboat is placed on the water. Performers blow their wind instruments
at the sail of the boat pushing it to the opposing group. Both groups try
to blow the boat away from themselves and toward the other group. If possible,
all performers should play some popular tune while blowing on the sail.
Piece ends when the boat reaches one end or the other of the pan.
1964
Symphony No. 4
Record.
1964
Symphony No. 5
I before hearing
II hearing
III after hearing
1966
Symphony No. 6
the music of dreams
dream music
Second version: dream.
1966
Symphony No. 6, Fluxversion 2
Second version: dream.
Event Score
Arrange or discover an event.
Score and then realize it.
1966
For a Drummer (for Eric)
Drum on something you have never drummed on
before.
Drum with something you have never drummed
with before.
1966
For a Drummer, Fluxversion 1
Performer drums with drum sticks or drum brushes
over the surface of wet mud or thick glue until brushes or sticks get stuck
and can't be lifted.
1966
For a Drummer, Fluxversion 2
Performer drums with sticks over a leaking
feather pillow making the feathers escape the pillow.
1966
For a Drummer, Fluxversion 3
Performer drums over drum with 2 ends of slightly
leaky water hose.
1966
For a Drummer, Fluxversion 4
Performer drums over drum with rolled newspapers
until the rolls disintegrate.
1966
For a Drummer, Fluxversion 5
Performer dribbles a ping-pong ball between
a hand-held racket and drum skin.
1966
For a Drummer, Fluxversion 6
Performer drums with mallets or hammers on
a helmet worn by another performer.
1966
For a Drummer, Fluxversion 7
Performer drums with brushes inside a vessel
filled with cream until cream is thick.
1966