Have you ever considered the musical potential hidden within your vehicle? The Car Music Project did, and they took it to an extraordinary level by transforming a brand-new Ford Focus into a complete orchestra of musical instruments. Forget simply sourcing Ford Focus Car Parts for repairs; this project saw them as the building blocks of sound, crafting a unique ensemble from a single hatchback. From basses and turntables made of motorcycle components to bicycle parts becoming DJ setups, the concept of repurposing vehicle parts for music isn’t entirely new. However, The Car Music Project’s endeavor to construct two full ensembles from cars, culminating in a brand-new Ford Focus, stands out for its ambition and ingenuity.
Initially, a pristine 2008 Ford Focus hatchback, designed for the UK market, looked like this:
But after the Car Music Project team, with their innovative vision and expertise in manipulating ford focus car parts, worked their magic, those same components were reborn. Twenty-one distinct parts from the deconstructed Ford Focus were meticulously crafted into thirty-one unique musical instruments, resulting in this incredible transformation:
This remarkable project was unveiled as part of an advertising campaign in England, showcasing the extended, three-minute version online.
The mastermind behind this sonic engineering feat is New York-based sound designer Bill Milbrodt. Leading a team of 22 skilled individuals, with Ray Faunce III managing the intricate fabrication process, Milbrodt brought this audacious concept to life. Adding the final layer of artistry, composer Craig Richey, known for his scores in films like The King of Kong, Friends With Money, and Lovely & Amazing, composed original music specifically for this unique ensemble.
In an interview with CDM, Bill Milbrodt provided fascinating insights into the challenging journey of transforming a Ford hatchback into a chamber ensemble. His account offers a unique perspective on instrument design and construction, relevant to anyone interested in DIY instruments, whether acoustic or digital.
Addressing skepticism about the project’s authenticity, Milbrodt and his team proved that the music was indeed real. They successfully fashioned fantastic-sounding instruments from genuine ford focus car parts. It certainly adds a new dimension to car ownership, knowing that your vehicle could potentially be deconstructed by skilled artisans and played upon in original musical compositions!
Deconstruction and Design: From Ford Focus to Formidable Instruments
Question: You received a brand-new Ford Focus and immediately began dismantling it. How much pre-planning was involved in determining the instrument construction, and how much was improvised during the process?
Bill Milbrodt: “Almost none of the construction was improvised on the spot. The Ford Focus was completely taken apart, and the ford focus car parts were systematically organized into categories around the workshop. My prior experience with the Car Music Project, using instruments made from my old Honda Accord, was invaluable. The core process is akin to solving a complex puzzle.”
“We had specific requirements: to create wind, brass, percussion, and string instruments capable of performing the composed music. Crucially, for authenticity and credibility, we were tasked with using intact ford focus car parts as much as possible, avoiding simply using sheet metal for major components. The instruments needed to be in tune according to western musical standards and resemble traditional instruments closely enough for professional musicians to learn them quickly, given limited rehearsal time. Finally, visual appeal was paramount for the television commercial.”
“The ‘puzzle’ aspect involved laying out all the ford focus car parts to explore potential functional and aesthetically interesting combinations. We experimented with various pairings, drawing on past experiences and noting what worked and what didn’t. We documented our ideas with videos, photographs, and sketches, which were then presented to the director, Noam Murro, for approval. Once an idea was approved, we proceeded with the fabrication.”
“A crucial constraint was the limited number of ford focus car parts available. We received two Ford Focus cars from Europe, which meant careful consideration was needed to avoid using a part on a less critical instrument if it was essential for a more important one. This iterative process of problem-solving and prior experience helped guide us through.”
The Ford Focus Ensemble: A Symphony of Auto Parts
Question: Could you detail the instruments within the ensemble? We can glimpse some in the advertisement, but we’re eager to learn more about the instruments you’re most proud of.
Bill Milbrodt: “The ensemble includes a variety of instruments, each uniquely crafted from ford focus car parts. Among them are:”
- Clutch Guitar: Adorned with an interior door panel section, showcasing the aesthetic potential of ford focus car parts.
- Spike Fiddle: Constructed from a rear suspension mount and a shock absorber, demonstrating the versatility of suspension components.
- Ford Fender Bass: Made from fenders and a pillar/roof support, highlighting the resonant qualities of body panels.
- Shockbone: Primarily built from shock absorber parts, proving the adaptability of damping mechanisms.
- Window Frame Harp: Utilizing the structural integrity of the window frame to create a stringed instrument.
- Opera Window Violin: Incorporating the distinct shape of the opera window into a violin-like instrument.
- Dijeruba: Functioning as both a didgeridoo-like instrument and a primitive tuba, showcasing the diverse sonic possibilities within ford focus car parts.
“Personally, I am particularly proud of the Ford Fender Bass and the Window Harp for their sound and visual design.”
A Five-Week Symphony: The Construction Timeline
Question: How long did the entire construction process take?
Bill Milbrodt: “From the day the Ford Focus was dismantled to the day the instruments were shipped to Los Angeles for recording and filming, we had approximately five weeks. The main construction phase spanned about three and a half weeks in Pennsylvania. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, we focused on visual enhancements and additional props for the commercial.”
Musicians’ Mastery: Learning the Automotive Orchestra
Question: How much rehearsal was necessary for musicians to learn to play these essentially ‘new’ instruments, albeit inspired by traditional designs?
Bill Milbrodt: “The musicians had two rehearsal sessions: an evening rehearsal of about 2.5 hours and a Saturday rehearsal of approximately 6 hours.”
Beyond Ford Focus: A Legacy of Automotive Instruments
Question: What other instrument-building projects have you undertaken? We understand you offer custom instrument creation services.
Bill Milbrodt: “For the original Car Music Project, I built all the instruments, representing the four families of a traditional orchestra. These included the Tank Bass, Air Guitar, Strutbone, Exhaustaphone, Convertibles, Tube Flutes, Frame Harp, Doorimba, Wheel Drums, Floor Cymbals, Trunk Drums – totaling 55 percussion pieces.”
“It’s important to clarify that I am not a metal fabricator myself. I assemble a team of highly talented individuals and direct the instrument-making process. Ray Faunce III oversaw the fabrication for both the Ford Focus and the original Car Music Project. While I lead the design and construction, contributions come from many team members. For the Ford Focus project, I had around 22 exceptional people contributing their skills. My role is similar to a film director – understanding the vision and guiding the process to achieve it. In the Car Music Project, the vision was mine; for the Ford Focus project, it was director Noam Murro’s.”
Composing for Car Parts: Craig Richey’s Automotive Score
Question: What was Craig Richey’s role, and were there specific considerations when composing for this type of ensemble?
Bill Milbrodt: “Craig Richey composed the music for the Ford Focus Orchestra commercial and was involved from the outset. His music dictated the instrumental capabilities we needed to achieve. I maintained communication with Craig throughout the instrument development, determining the required instrument types and quantities. Once the instruments were built, Craig adapted his music accordingly.”
“These are instruments made from ford focus car parts, not mass-produced, traditional instruments. Each is unique. While designed to function similarly to traditional counterparts, adjustments were necessary. If an instrument proved challenging to play a melody quickly, Craig would modify the arrangement, perhaps reassigning parts or distributing melodies across instruments. Adaptation was key for everyone involved.”
Recycling Rhapsody: Automotive Parts and Sustainability
Question: This project used a new car, but could these techniques offer new approaches to recycling waste materials?
Bill Milbrodt: “The original Car Music Project did recycle an old car. I believe old cars can be repurposed in various ways, and to some extent, this is already happening. Auto salvage companies crush cars, separate materials, and sell them for reuse. However, we can always improve recycling efficiency.”
Leftovers and Legacy: The Fate of Ford Focus Remainders
Question: Were there many ford focus car parts left over after the project?
Bill Milbrodt: “Yes, but not many that were particularly useful for instrument making.”
Synclavier Side Note: A Pioneer in Digital Recording
Bill Milbrodt: “On a side note, Peter, noticing your site’s focus on digital media, I was among the first commercial studios to record directly to disk. In 1987, I installed a New England Digital Synclavier with Direct-to-Disk recorder. The manufacturer claimed I was the fifth to do so. I can’t verify that, but that’s what I was told!”
Here is the final advertisement showcasing the Ford Focus Orchestra in action:
For those seeking a different kind of automotive-inspired music, here is the Nutcracker Suite performed on (sampled) bicycle parts:
Explore more music created with car part instruments on the Car Music Project’s official page. DVDs and CDs are also available for purchase:
Discover additional music, videos, and information on the Car Music Project MySpace Page:
Car Music Project MySpace Page
Learn more about Bill Milbrodt’s work:
Authenticity Confirmed: The Reality of the Ford Car Part Ensemble
Concerns about the ensemble’s legitimacy led to further details about the instruments’ playability, the ‘classical’ sound, and the audio in the advertisement:
Yes, Virginia, There Really is a Ford Car Part Musical Ensemble
Tags: acoustic-instruments, ads, cars, composition, design, DIY, ford, instruments, interviews, oddities, Sound-design, TV, videos
