Don Music
Encyclopedia
Composer Don Music was a Muppet
character
on the children's television show Sesame Street
. He was performed and voiced by Richard Hunt
.
The typically amusing sketch would have him become frustrated by his inability to think of the final line to well known song
s such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb", and react by banging his head on his piano
. However, a reporter observing him, Kermit the Frog
, would then help Don by suggesting some suitable lyrics. As a result, Don would be inspired to suddenly come up with a whole alternative lyrical composition to the familiar children's songs, which he immediately plays with a full arrangement without any rehearsal with a line of backup singers that suddenly appear from the next room.
Don Music debuted in 1974. After reports that children were imitating him by banging their heads against things, Don was dropped from the show.
Music kept a picture of Sesame Street songwriter
and composer
Joe Raposo
on the wall, although it was never actually identified as such. Don Music also maintained a bust
of Ludwig van Beethoven
(possibly a reference to Schroeder
) on his piano, which he addressed as "Ludwig" when apologizing for his failure as a composer or otherwise verbalizing his feelings. In at least one episode the bust is of William Shakespeare
, which he addressed as "Bill."
The Muppets
The Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson starting in 1954–55. Although the term is often used to refer to any puppet that resembles the distinctive style of The Muppet Show, the term is both an informal name and legal trademark owned by the Walt Disney Company in reference...
character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the children's television show Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
. He was performed and voiced by Richard Hunt
Richard Hunt (puppeteer)
Richard Hunt was an American puppeteer best known as a Muppet performer. Hunt's Muppet roles included Scooter, Beaker, Janice, Statler, and Sweetums.-Early years:...
.
The typically amusing sketch would have him become frustrated by his inability to think of the final line to well known song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is a popular English nursery rhyme. The lyrics are from an early nineteenth-century English poem, "The Star" by Jane Taylor. The poem, which is in couplet form, was first published in 1806 in Rhymes for the Nursery, a collection of poems by Taylor and her sister Ann...
" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb", and react by banging his head on his piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. However, a reporter observing him, Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
, would then help Don by suggesting some suitable lyrics. As a result, Don would be inspired to suddenly come up with a whole alternative lyrical composition to the familiar children's songs, which he immediately plays with a full arrangement without any rehearsal with a line of backup singers that suddenly appear from the next room.
Don Music debuted in 1974. After reports that children were imitating him by banging their heads against things, Don was dropped from the show.
Music kept a picture of Sesame Street songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Joe Raposo
Joe Raposo
Joseph Guilherme Raposo, OIH was a Portuguese-American composer, songwriter, pianist, television writer and lyricist, best known for his work on the children's television series Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classic songs such as "Bein' Green" and "C is for Cookie"...
on the wall, although it was never actually identified as such. Don Music also maintained a bust
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
of Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
(possibly a reference to Schroeder
Schroeder (Peanuts)
Schroeder is a fictional character in the long-running comic strip Peanuts, created by Charles M. Schulz. He is distinguished by his precocious skill at playing the toy piano, as well as by his love of classical music and the composer Ludwig van Beethoven in particular...
) on his piano, which he addressed as "Ludwig" when apologizing for his failure as a composer or otherwise verbalizing his feelings. In at least one episode the bust is of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
, which he addressed as "Bill."