Harry Partch's wild microtonal instruments meet a psychedelic 60s film crew. Your ears aren't ready.
This creative educational film by Pieter Van Deusen features a variety of string instruments performed by noted musicians such as Shamim Ahmed Kahn. This film was part of a music film series for Churchill Films: Wind Sounds, Percussion Sounds, and an offshoot film by Pieter with Les Blank entitled Christopher Tree.
Sound
Harry Partch's handmade instruments sound like aliens trying folk music.
Direction
Van Deusen's trippy visuals turn music theory into a head trip.
Director
Pieter van Deusen
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Harry Partch built over 50 unique instruments using found materials like liquor bottles and airplane fuel tanks, all tuned to his 43-tone microtonal scale.
This film series emerged when educational films briefly became avant-garde art—Churchill Films bankrolled experimental work that public schools actually screened.
US
