Axehole

It’s WTF Friday, and we’d thought that we’d take a break from lurid “music” stories that are really about sex, porn and hookers, and show you how you can have some good, clean fun with just your own two hands, instead!

Yes, we’re talking about manualism - the seldom seen art of playing music by squeezing air through the hands. People that make music this way are called manualists.

Manualism is seldom seen for two reasons:

• There’s no classical repertoire for manualists; and
• It sounds like musical farts.

Nevertheless, it’s impressive what a skilled manualist can do, and almost musical. Check out this video of R.A. Wilson playing Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer:

Remember, while you’re watching this, that playing recognizable tunes by squeezing the hands together is extremely difficult. It can take years to master. Some manualists practice for as much as 30 years before finally reaching a presentable level of proficiency.

Wilson has recorded renditions of many other tunes, including TV theme songs, Happy Birthday, and even the climax of the 1812 Overture.