Hey, has anyone heard of a unicycling band, or musical group?
I searched the forum trying to figure out where to post this and decided to create a new thread.
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It is from the dvd Animusic 2.
I have the dvd, but I found this clip online.
Notice the WHEELS.
These characters are called pogo sticks, but they certainly resemble unicycles with very tiny wheels to me.
A unicycling musical act would be pretty neat.
Haha, if you really want, I can record my next video on youtube me playing a song while on a unicycle. Would that count?
But watching that makes me want a 2 string bass like that. That looks like so much fun to play.
There’s been a lot of talk about it, but nothing’s ever come of it, as far as I know.
Might be a chance of getting something together at one of the UNICONs or the like.
I’d love to play in the UniPipe Band.
Hello King of Suede!
I do remember you play a double bass.
Maybe you could put wheels on the bass and roll it along as you play it.
Wouldn’t that be a hoot?
Hi GUILD!
That would be so neat!
Can you imagine how cool (and unique) it would be to see a rolling choir of bagpipes!
Now THAT sounds like parade material!
When I get good enough (I mean good enough on the unicycle),
I would love to do something like that (with any musical instrument).
How often do UNICONS occur, and where do they usually take place?
Where I live there aren’t even enough unicyclists to make a small group, much less enough of them who play musical instruments (maybe only myself).
Uhh, then even less of them who can do them both simultaneously (zero obviously).
I’m picturing GILD with his bagpipes (who can actually DO it), King of Suede with a rolling bass fiddle, and 57UniRider with a banjo (or maybe a piano accordian).
Who else wants to play? 
We may have been talking about this for too long now…
One song.
One tempo.
Several videos.
One person to edit them together.
I have no idea who would edit them together, I’m just suggesting we get going on the rest of it. So, if you’ll indulge me, I’d like to suggest “When The Saints Go Marching In” as the tune, someone suggest a tempo.
We all get it done while on uni, and we hope to find someone to edit it together.
Here’s an idea of the tempo I generally play on the pipes.
Aye?
i’ve thought of it, and have tried playing saxaphone while riding (someone has some video somewhere).
i was thinking of trying for a marching band equivalent, but yeah, having issues finding other musical riders.
Sax? It’s decided, the unicycle band cover song is Careless Whisper.
57Uni
You’re correct I do play the double bass xD. I’ve fantasized about playing on a street corner, riding in circles around my bass while playing… I’m just afraid because the wood my bass is made out of is EXTREMELY soft. So I fear the smallest knick from a pedal could possibly put a hole in it.
There have been unicycle bands in Group Freestyle performances at past USA and IUF conventions. I remember one from Unicon IV, 1988. Then in 1989, a guy named Emile Crawley from Detroit did an excellent sax number in his Individual Freestyle performance. He played another instrument also, but the photo I have is of him with the sax, and the performance stood out because the playing was really good!
The first Unicon was in 1984. Since 1992, Unicon has been held every two years, in a different city/country. Here’s a list.
Sounds like a great idea…
I think this sounds like a great idea…
If only I could play an instrument…
Still can’t be hard to learn… After all I’ve learned to ride a unicycle… =P
Choomii
Hey GILD!
You look pretty spiffy in kilts!
Videos and editing would be one way to do it, but I surely would love to see a real musical band rolling down the street.
I saw a virtual choir on the internet not long ago. The video is pretty long, but it was so interesting I listened to the whole thing (about 15 minutes). If you want to hear only the combined recording of the virtual choir, go to about the last three minutes. It’s a pretty neat story. Each individual singing is a separate recording of only that one person singing.
The participants actually recorded themselves singing to a recording of the conductor, then someone edited all the voices together so it was heard on the computer as a choir. Pretty impressive! I believe it would be difficult to get the effect of a bunch of unicyclists riding and playing at the same time as a combined recording.
Somehow the cohesive group of singers that has never met in person reminds me of this very special group of people on who ride unicycles.
I ran of of editing time on the above post.
GILD,
The recording you seem to be describing reminds me of the virtual choir decribed (and linked) above.
I have been plotting to play Entry of the Gladiators (circus theme) on a baritone or euphonium while riding, but had to leave my old baritone in PA when I moved to Texas. I also have many many more marches to choose from. I wouldn’t want to risk my expensive euphonium or trombone.
I also have, several times, ridden while strumming my ukulele. I just bought a cheap flute and, once I fix it up next week, I plan to learn a few tunes and play while riding.
Captainwelch used to post here, and he was the unicycling trombonist with Blast!, a traveling drum corps/theatrical production.
Thanks for that link and info John!
Hello SqueakyOnion,
Hmmm. I hadn’t thought of a ukulele. Of all the instruments I have played, or still play, I think maybe I could manage to play the ukulele and unicycle at the same time… once I get the idling part down. Something else to work on.
Still…
It seems like some of you unicycling musicians should come through with that rolling “band” for the next UNICON. I’ve got the musician part down, but I’m not up to snuff on the uni yet.
I like GILD’s idea for the unicycling bagpipes.
You seem to be the only piper though, GILD.
Maybe fkb.
Seems like he said he could play the pipes.
Yes yes yes. Eric Whitacre is the man. I’ve performed many of his pieces in my high school/college choirs. That was a very interesting project he did. Didn’t know it was TED worthy. Very cool
Yeah I’ve been thinking about trying this out before I try my guitar out. I know it’s possible. I’m just paranoid of UPD’s because of… god knows what xD
I ride playing ukulele too! I mostly play harmonica while unicycling, though, its less risky and more portable 