How a Washing Machine Became a Percussion Device

Robert Stewart: There are some amazingly talented people in Northern California from an artist with a very unlikely canvas to a drummer who finds music in every moment literally.

We’re here in Elk Grove at the home of musician Michael Bayard who has worked with major names like Barbara Streisand and Tony Bennett as a master percussionist. But Michael’s garage is all the rage today and what he did with his washing machine.

Michael good to see you

Michael Bayard: Good to see you.

Robert Stewart: Thanks for having us here today.

Michael Bayard: Great to be here.

Robert Stewart: The stumping noise usually annoys people but not a master percussionist, right?

Michael Bayard: It’s normally pretty frustrating because I have my clothing or jeans in there, my cloth and jeans.

Robert Stewart: Caught on the spin cycle off balance.

Michael Bayard: And I just heard it one time and I said, “You know what? I got to take advantage on this rhythm.”

Robert Stewart: Well, show me what you did. This has become a YouTube sensation. That’s awesome, very cool. You went to Julliard, New York, Curtis in Philadelphia full-ride scholarships the whole way and you’re using your washing machine.

Michael Bayard: I went to the Julliard School and I end up playing a percussion improvisation on a washer.

Robert Stewart: And I guess innovation is really what it’s all about. You as a master musician take every moment to make music, right?

Michael Bayard: Well, there’s music and sound all around us. From a natural perspective, there’s rhythm in the whole world and how about the changing of seasons and so guess what there’s also rhythms and all this mechanical devices around our home too.

Robert Stewart: In cycles too, spin cycle.

Michael Bayard: Spin cycle just like the cycle of nature. I can’t believe you got that one exactly right. And now it’s just bringing joy and happiness and healing to people. This of course has a different sense of healing and that we’re just having a good time and I guess that’s good for our endorphins. I think everybody kind of has that experience with their washing machine.

Robert Stewart: But you never think about an off balance spin cycle the same.

Michael Bayard: Exactly, so I thought that it could really connect with a lot of people. It’s become a little bit of an international classic.

Robert Stewart: And you’re keeping music alive outside of the garage.

Michael Bayard: Absolutely. So we’re going outside of the garage into the world of the unknown and mysterious and yet the tangible too.

Robert Stewart: Other cycles.

Michael Bayard: Yes, other cycles of life. Thank you so much.

Robert Stewart: Thank you Michael for sending us a wonderful idea.