The Carnyx: The Mouthpiece of the Gods - John Kenny

In 1993 John Kenny became the first person in 2000 years to play the carnyx, a Celtic war horn and much more. His instrument, a faithful reconstruction of a carnyx found in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1816, offers a fascinating insight into the musical archaeology of the iron age.

[@Stellug]

Didn't think I'd be watching a british man play his heart out on a conch shell at 4:23am but here we are I guess

[@mereskillz7263]

Yup.. I feel this man. its currently 1:10 right now and I stumbled upon this after watching The Lord of The Rings and getting interested in war horns yet again.

[@obotowski]

just about to do the same exact thing, it's 4:12am for me lmao

[@DJScaleModels]

At least we aren't alone :D

[@Legonaughty]

same, 2:30am here

[@Jafcon69]

bruh, its 5:15 am and im doing the same thing

[@agrosyntrop]

when maximus heard the carnyx, he became minimus

[@safetydave720]

LMAO

[@valeskaweich5886]

thihiuhihihi

[@mcdaici]

how can u do that to maximus man

[@bartolomeothesatyr]

To be fair, it can get a wee bit chilly on the heath, particularly in a toga.

[@p_pattedd5477]

When Maximus heard the carnyx, Gaul became a Roman province.

[@GeFlixes]

I love how most people are startled for 5 seconds and then think 'oh, that's completely normal', then proceed to listten to a guy blast a trombone in a museum with full volume. Also, you don't realize how much fun it is to play those really, rally deep notes on a brass instrument until you've done it. If feels like the sun peeks over the horizon in the depths of your soul.

[@emilyawood]

I miss playing the french horn, it made me feel powerful

[@evan8654]

Great analogy

[@telferbeveridge4224]

Can confirm

[@dnbmania]

@@emilyawood reminds me of lord of the rings soundtrack!

[@SoftStationMusic]

Same with deep notes with woodwinds. Great feeling

[@Metaphix]

Just imagine being in a roman camp as a legionary, and hearing 400 of those going off in the foggy woods around your camp.

[@rogerbuds19]

F

[@EthanDyTioco]

Flavius, i want to go home

[@JesusFriedChrist]

Octavius, form the tortugas.

[@jhonnex3338]

Not the case for boys from Legio Equestris.

[@SiddharthaGhoshSid]

sounds almost mystical in some sense, combined with the fog and gray English climate and woodlands, this would have sounded scary and magical at the same time.

[@nunyabiznis3595]

The subject does not matter when the speaker is as passionate and knowledgeable as this.

[@zrize101]

The subject inadvertently becomes important to the listeners as they are so enticed by the speaker.

[@suburbanhavoc4997]

Reminds me of these concerts that I helped out with at my moms church. I'm not religious and had zero interest in the music itself, but it was fun to watch the musicians.

[@naapalm82]

Unattributable saying: Good professors make 16th century danish turnip farming seem exciting. Bad professors make sex seem boring. I don’t believe that the carnyx is boring but it does illustrate how good of a presentation we’ve been given.

[@manubishe]

I'm pretty sure there is a case in history where the subject did matter even 70 years later. Other than that, I can't recall speakers who were condemned as widely as a certain Austrian failed arts student had been.

[@naapalm82]

@@manubishe you had to go there.

[@EguiulNava]

OMG this made me realize how much I miss going to museums.

[@HannyDart]

same!

[@olive7831]

Same bro i just want to go back to Edinburgh and spend a day drinking coffee, shopping and looking at things in the museum I have been looking at the exhibitions online and there is so much stuff I never knew was there and really want to see

[@olive7831]

@@stopglobalswarming 1. Learn to spell 2. I wish it was 1% of the richest population owning more wealth than the 99% of the rest of the population is unsustainable.

[@olive7831]

@Angry Dimsum I am assuming you are replying to the 2nd comment I have "read up on some history" and I agree things have always been bad for the lower class compared to the upper classes in history. However, my point was (simplified for you to understand): -Things are CURRENTLY bad -We need to fix this I said nothing about history, I only said about our current situation and a desire to change it. It has not been like this "since day one" as you say but is a fairly new problem. Humans have been around for around 2,500,000 years. The agricultural revolution started 10,000 years ago and the industrial revolution only began around 250 years ago. The worrying thing is that the rich are currently becoming richer at an exponential rate whilst the wealth of the majority of people has stagnated. Stop laughing like a fool and actually read things through before responding to them.

[@sallyreno6296]

@Angry Dimsum When was "day one" ?

[@DK-fq3hy]

This is how a true educator communicates. He brings the museum alive without him the museum is a display room full of echoes and silence.

[@tomking5047]

How can it be full of echoes AND silence?

[@DK-fq3hy]

@@tomking5047 sincere question and emotional. thanks. echoing originate from sounds and silence for there is no one to explain like Mr whiting while there are lots of interesting objects to admire mostly in reserved silence or quiet talking.

[@PutinsMommyNeverHuggedHim]

It also helps that his accent is British

[@dk2614]

Interesting

[@peregrinegrace8570]

Museums are quiet for a reason. To allow thought, contemplation and recollection . We arent going to look at objects , we are there to understand, appreciate and share in the past. Much of it is sacred or wonderful. We know what the objects are and where they come from because we care about the past , it matters greatly . I'd be very anoyed if every museum was full of the noise of explanation and titillation.

[@Omnis2]

In 2000 years, someone is going to find a Vuvuzela in a plastic straw bog.

[@windhammer1237]

And then they'll throw it bag into the bog.

[@warriorson7979]

And an iPod next to it...😌

[@halfjack1031]

Damn the imagery is strong with this one

[@whateversmurfette]

@@windhammer1237 fancy meeting you here, sir

[@shingnosis]

"This was an instrument of great importance in their time, typically used to announce the arrival of a king or other prominent persons. The knowledge in how to use the instrument was typically passed down from father to son, and sometimes from a brother or close friend. Here's a little piece I've written for it.."

[@tomlatham8482]

"It [music] is a liquid commodity in time." What a profound and eloquent statement.

[@thishandleistaken1011]

not really

[@christiankrueger2330]

It is very eloquent, but don't expect just anyone to appreciate it.

[@peregrinegrace8570]

Word salad at its best . Just needs a dash of umf and a piffle of whisp. Bears no resemblence to the subject matter, just sounds clever.

[@Mad0nU]

yeah can anyone explain it.

[@tomlatham8482]

@@Mad0nU I'll do my best to explain, at least as I interpret it. The statement is definitely a metaphor. Anyway, let's break it down: - A commodity in a general sense is something that can be bought and sold. In economics there's more to the definition, but we don't need that to understand the metaphor here. When the speaker says that music is a commodity, he's saying that it has some value which can be accessed. Note that the value I'm talking about isn't monetary now, but rather the unique personal value attributed to music by the people who hear it. To say music is a commodity, in this context, is to say music has personal value that can be obtained by hearing it. - A liquid commodity is one that can be traded (bought or sold) quickly without affecting the value. Gold, for example, is very liquid in a market sense. If you have 2 pounds of gold, you can sell 1 pound of it today very easily (that's the quick part), and tomorrow the value of your remaining pound shouldn't have gone down much. For music to be a liquid commodity then, is to say that accessing its value (i.e. listening to it) is both easy and does not diminish its value. - Throwing "time" into the formula, the speaker is saying that the same value of a piece of music felt by someone who listened to it a thousand years ago, is the value felt by a listener today (allowing for differences in personal taste, of course). - So putting it all together, music being a liquid commodity in time means that its unique human value is immediately transferred to listeners no matter when in time they listen to it, and importantly, the value is the same for both listeners. - All the comments, for example, saying something to the effect of "Imagine being a Roman soldier and hearing this on the morning of battle," are demonstrations of music's liquid value in time. It allows us to feel what our ancestors felt. It's an empathetic bridge across generations. And that's pretty damn cool, and also nicely, concisely wrapped up in the statement "music is a liquid commodity in time." Did that help at all?

[@-lll-ll-llll-AVE]

I clicked on this thinking it was 5:58 minutes long. 45:58 minutes later, I’m glad I clicked

[@edzejandehaan9265]

I love this. I had the misconception the carnyx was "just" a warhorn made to make an intimidating hellish noise to scare the enemy. I had no idea it was such a versitile instrument.

[@aeoteroa818]

For Killin and chillin

[@jackarmstrong8790]

Was prolly for both, since if I heard a carnyx from the woods in the middle of the night, I'd be fucking terrified

[@jukeboxfandango]

Any horn can be played beyond it's intended purpose by someone with the know how. I doubt a lot of the techniques he was applying were used historically.

[@kevinkanzler495]

​@@jukeboxfandangomaybe, maybe not. Moderns benefit from learning the techniques of others but it's possible ancients might not have been as constrained by popular conventions

[@amaliaalonso9410]

​@@jukeboxfandango Los "modernos" se creen superiores en muchos temas. Sencillamente, errónea y atrevida percepción.

[@Silverwing2112]

I didn't realize I was in for an entire lecture, but I'm 12 minutes in, and I'm here for the ride at this point.

[@KoltiraMemeweaver]

Me rn too

[@freakyfriday2necrophiliabo752]

Bro same

[@penguinplays4176]

Same here

[@mbm2355]

Duuuude stay aaaalll the way, the end is sick.

[@J.B.1982]

I’m at 38 min. Not sure how this happened

[@andrewgodly5739]

This would be haunting in a warfare environment. Imagine multiple people playing them from different locations in the dark. You'd think you've entered hell

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

@@Shooby777 perhaps you will enjoy this. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWi9oo2MqtN2mJY

[@Gravelgratious]

The scarier part is not knowing how many people are around one Carnyx at a time. It could be one man in one spot and a hundred in another. The sound produced can mask the sound of troops, and it even helps tell your allies whether you are attacking on the battlefield or retreating, while at the same time dinning the enemy in a fog of sound and inevitably war.

[@StefanSu91]

Maybe if you're a wuss. I would be in trance.

[@milesbeler3974]

With a range of 5 fucking octaves, they could be screaming on them or rumbling almost beneath perception.

[@guidomonto3742]

@@StefanSu91 sure you would buddy

[@user-ellievator]

The part at the beginning is like the trombone saying, "Listen up ya'll, this is my crazy older brother the carnyx, and he has somethin' to say!"

[@LilyWohlMezzo-Soprano]

The hype man

[@jackwilson4166]

He used to live up the road from me. Was friends with his son in school and he came and gave roughly this talk and demonstration in one of our assemblies. It was quite something then and it's quite something now.

[@noongourfain]

what year is you don't mind?

[@jackwilson4166]

@@noongourfain Man, it was I think about midway through primary school so maybe 1997? James Gillespie's primary school in Edinburgh

[@noongourfain]

@@jackwilson4166 Ah so that was probably two years after his first lecture about the Carnyx. You lucky dog.

[@noongourfain]

@@jackwilson4166 oh sorry 4 years

[@Vacilando22]

Lucky you!

[@kentuckyblugrass]

I learned more in 45 minutes watching this video than I did in 4 years of music class. "Music is timeless...It is a liquid commodity in time"

[@Trooper6190]

Holy flurking shnit, I read your comment right as he said it! 34:23 😮

[@oldmanballs]

You should pay attention more in class

[@JayM-wg7dd]

The music class maybe wasn't the problem in that case. sounds very much like your willingness to learn was the issue.

[@loveeachother7135]

I mean, FOR REAL. where was this simple instruction when I was playing brass?!!

[@WhatIsSanity]

I had no intention of watching this entire video, but then I started listening and had no intention of stopping.

[@SairyFairy]

Dayum the acoustics in that room!

[@mangodip2170]

Love the reverb

[@petyamokvwap9139]

Reverb for dayyyys

[@michaelp1923]

forget the carnyx for a second that intro was fire

[@omniryx1]

Actually, his technique is not that good. For a self-described professional, there's really no excuse for those cracked notes.

[@michaelp1923]

@@omniryx1 i did notice that but regardless of execution i enjoyed the melody

[@yeezet4592]

@@omniryx1 idk man, it was fire

[@JimmyInKona]

@@omniryx1 pretty sure most of those were intentional...

[@brad8549]

@@omniryx1 seems likely he was doing that to highlight how the trombone resembles the earlier instruments. It's capable of a lot more sounds than current musical tastes allow for

[@williamp.5253]

Just watched this nearly hour long lecture instead of studying for my test tomorrow. 10/10 would watch again.

[@RZPPAA]

How did the test go?

[@williamp.5253]

@@RZPPAA I don’t remember the individual test, but I got my undergraduate degree that fall, so all in all I did ok

[@RevolutionLaViva]

story of my life

[@raifteri]

I would like to hear this played in a forest where these sounds were probably first made.

[@mikejohnson555]

and in a group of at least 3-6.

[@evilemuempire9550]

Perhaps the Teutoburg forest?

[@mikejohnson555]

@@evilemuempire9550 It was Germanic peoples in the Teutoburg forest, not Celts.

[@evilemuempire9550]

@@mikejohnson555 I know, I was just trying to make a joke, besides, they’re all barbarians to Rome!

[@thrand6760]

@@mikejohnson555 if you listen to what he says, he cleary states that it is now believed that celtic culture was more widespread, than first believed... that includes the germanic regions

[@anthonyrosario7414]

"The best way to awaken an instrument is to have an idea. Musical instruments are used to express human ideas." Love that!

[@MaximilianRoof]

God, he's such a sweet, charismatic and intelligent old man. The instrument was totally new for me but i can't get enough of it's sound now.

[@janisgay5507]

Who's an old man?

[@MaximilianRoof]

@@janisgay5507 you‘re right. 😂

[@blackletter2591]

I bet he hopped off that podium more nimbly than you could.

[@sharonwolfe5210]

"Old" , ya wee shite?!? Just coz there's a bit o snow on the rooftop, ya best believe there's a FIRE in that furnace!!!!

[@clairey6407]

He's only 63 now....58 in 2015, which is when this was recorded (I think). So not that old.

[@MiaogisTeas]

Oh, right, but when I stand on a table in a museum and do this I get tackled right off the other side 😂

[@RZPPAA]

Take a trombone with you next time :D

[@lancehobbs8012]

I felt like i was 13 going on a school excursion, watching that. He really speaks well

[@isaiahkowcun1662]

I have no idea how or why youtube recommended this to me, but this was super interesting

[@PutinsMommyNeverHuggedHim]

Same!!!

[@galdramadur1]

Amazing, that is the sound of our celtic ancesters. This is the noise roman legionaries heard before the celts went into battle.

[@manonthebrain]

And so why doth this stone ringth of Skype? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaKkoqailKZqnJY

[@aztecgoldmontizuma]

This is an amazing video covers everything, very well spoken. Carnyx playing 34:30 "The cry of the wolf" 38:40 "Voice of the Carnyx"

[@beyondsingularity]

Don't be impatient. You'd miss a fantastic lecture if you skipped to the playing part.

[@RhodianColossus]

@@beyondsingularity Some people don't necessarily have time. Don't be an ass.

[@jagpro91]

@@RhodianColossus Everybody makes time for things that are important to them. If people skip around, it's not because they "don't have time," it's because they didn't see any value in learning about an ancient instrument and chose to not make time for a fascinating lecture. Maybe they decided that watching a football game was a more important way to spend their time.

[@aztecgoldmontizuma]

@@beyondsingularity I didn’t mean any disrespect, I really enjoyed the lecture. I only included the links for love of music, I enjoy listening to the instrument being played and this would make it easier for people who listen to the lecture to listen to the instrument being played again.

[@Mightybeanargeden]

@@jagpro91 The utter condescension in that comment is astounding.

[@seanmahoney7080]

This guy was so engaging, I came here just to hear what a carnyx sounded like and stayed for a 45 minute lecture! 👍

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

More people should be bringing these to football games ...

[@darthskarr8975]

It would just get banned again.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

@@darthskarr8975 My adsvice: Ban the football leave the carnyx

[@Qardo]

@@darthskarr8975 Then, we get more and play louder. Until the blight is destroyed from the world.

[@noongourfain]

@@Qardo now now....calm down. It's not a tribal or ethnic war anymore it's just us against the super rich. If we get it right the will crumble in a month. Hope springs eternal.

[@shy8291]

@@darthskarr8975 again?

[@martinrow1213]

It wasn’t just a horn, it was a beautiful piece of art. The beast’s head swivels from side to side and pants giving it eye-catching animation.Very clever.

[@spardaprowess3277]

He plays the Carnyx so damn well, the people with Roman ancestors are getting war flashbacks.

[@kimholcomb6943]

What do you think about a person of scottish descent hearing this? I'm sure this will also transport them back to a time where things that are ancient come back to life unexpectedly.

[@therealtimrobertson]

Hah I was just thinking I feel like I've just summoned ancestral ghosts into my home @@kimholcomb6943

[@rakim126]

The shit stirs my blood in a way I can't explain.. gotta be some RNA stuff

[@wysardje2545]

The acoustics in that hall in The British Museum are gorgeous.

[@BlackSeranna]

What would be fun is if someone created a version of a dinosaur skull, complete with proper bone thickness, a soft palate, and fontanelles. To hear a dinosaur properly after millions of years? That would be priceless.

[@theschnoozler465]

I want I N E E D

[@1SpicyMeataball]

I like the way you think.

[@vladvladimirov4399]

@@theschnoozler465You sneed

[@canobenitez]

you need more thing than a skull.

[@crazyd3uces]

All the eccentricity, wit and marvel of a wizard. Absolutely mesmerizing.

[@GrumpyMcElbows]

Well, it's not every day that KZbin recommends a video with a guy with your exact name. And I wasn't even signed in.

[@noongourfain]

WOW!

[@maxpalombella11]

The acoustics sound perfect!

[@TheDanD]

Beefiest reverberations ever, makes it sound ancestral as hell.

[@rongallaghercollection8993]

My neighbour thumbed on my door last night at 3.00a.m. - Lucky for him I was up playing my Carnyx .

[@ukaszgrzesik7231]

I think that ritual sacrifice for the mystic KZbin algorithm is in order. And thank you mr John for sharing this amazing recording. I will defnitely look for more carnyx music.

[@Wombocombod]

this guy has such a passionate way of teaching and im instantly enthralled by the carnyx. damn i miss going to museums and learning about these types of things

[@ownerfate]

hearing them play the "Voice of the Carnyx" at night as you walk past the museum ... "Oh no... that movie was real..."

[@swordangel01]

"Octavius, do you hear something?"

[@zaccotton83]

I want to love my job as much as this guy loves his.

[@JohanKylander]

A giant, venomous, boar, that's faster than a horse? Sounds like something out of a jurassic park spinoff.

[@shadowoakmagick]

Jurassic Pork, perhaps?

[@JohanKylander]

@@shadowoakmagick Jurassic Pork; a film about DNA manipulation testing turning everyday animals into mutated killing machines, with vengeance.

[@werewolf4358]

I'm surprised you're the first comment I've seen mentioning that. Like, Jesus, imagine *living* with giant fucking snake boars and some daft fucker nudges you and says "Yeah. Let's go murder *that* thing! It'll be great!"

[@WarPoet-In-Training]

Or dnd. Ya know, a wereboar

[@MultiNaruto900]

@@JohanKylander And rather tasty monsters.

[@Veldtian1]

John Kenny, you're a treasure of a human being.

[@jshicke]

Its amazing the sheer volume of sound that can be created.

[@Ombrenoirs]

The mouthpiece of the gods, because it's one of the last things you'll hear before meeting them. Amazing.

[@matthewhiggins604]

Well said.

[@rakim126]

Fuck yeah

[@Priest_Of_Zebak]

Nobody looked this up Let's be real we all came here from the haunting sound of the carnyx video. Just like the rope chain videos from a few months back. I wonder whats next.

[@christina2233ray]

If your spirit is not stirred while listening to this hallow instrument you're dead.

[@freequest]

Why threaten people?

[@guitarslim56]

hallowed

[@walterclements9150]

then death to america, of course

[@oduibhbl]

tina e q

[@theodour8617]

Tina E Q!!!!

[@mrunique4871]

Can you imagine you have never heard this instrument before only to hear it for the first time on the battlefield as the enemy approaches , it must have been utterly terrifying . Amazing performance and knowledge .

[@rakim126]

Only the veterans would recognize it with a familiar horror

[@reachthroughreality]

This was an entire field trip. KZbin algorithm wins again, five years later as usual.

[@jaimiest]

"Music is a liquid commodity in time" Brilliant.

[@SamuraiBatgirl]

I played trombone for seven years. I didn't know it could sound so beautiful. Maybe I should play it again.

[@CockatooDude]

Never underestimate the power of a shitload of reverb.

[@KurtKommerz]

@@CockatooDude exactly this. even my trombone skills would sound great in that cathedral. and I don't even play trombone.

[@flufychickens]

imagine how many times a day this man has to give this presentation.... everyday.... for his whole life....

[@innovativeatavist159]

*gets* to

[@CompTechs]

Yes he seems so burdened...

[@erronblack308]

You could say that for anything even remotely similar. History changes though and this probably has not always been the same.

[@leifhietala8074]

That resonating, rumbling note @ 0:57 and again @1:07 just floored me. Glorious. I've never heard a trombone played with such power and personality.

[@ryguy4864]

This dude just made his own intro music to his show. Impressive

[@RC-Flight]

During the performance at the end of the video, my body went into shivers and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. I closed my eyes and went into a past life experience. There I was dressed in furs and leather a sword in one hand and a small shield in the other. The sound of the instrument blaring and there I was in the thick of battle......

[@wolfza2630]

Moaning and pleading for death while rolling around on your own shit and entrails after the opfor ripped open your belly with a jagged spear point? Yeah. Not as romantic on second thought.

[@patrickdaly1088]

As a former Jazz Trombonist, and an avid lifelong fan of modern Celtic music, I feel like the compositions we heard from John were very influenced by his jazz roots. Undoubtedly the Celts had much in the way of free form "jam band" style music, overarching themes which you can mesh many things into, but I would also expect more rhythmic structure even in such types of pieces. Rhythm was incredibly important to nearly all early cultures, certainly the Celts were documented using the Bodhran as a battle drum, and many very old Celtic musical themes have very rhythmic parts for some of the instruments as well. The Celtic "session" tradition is very old and probably has roots dating back several millennia, and in both modern sessions and "jam band" style sittings, usually all but one or two of the instruments(voice is an instrument) have a more rhythmic part than melodic. The compositions were beautiful! I think modern influences translate very well onto the instrument, but why wouldn't they? Music is music, if it works on the trombone, it should work well on the Carnyx. I'd also love to hear more classical themes played on it, let's just say the carnyx hasn't broken into mainstream popularity just yet and there's not a ton of carnyx music out there

[@canobenitez]

He did try to sell his Carnyx album. I think you are right about the celtic sound, I also presume there was some kind of "drone" (one carnyx playig one note continously) and several others creating rythim patterns.

[@jackburton9214]

*Repeatedly bangs sword on shield

[@aylaesmerayjade]

"Bjorn, what was that noise?" "Oh, probably just some animals. Get some rest, Octavius." They didn't sleep, they died

[@botas5254]

idgi lol isnt bjorn a Scandinavian name?

[@Yand_Durinul]

@@botas5254 Yes, yes it is. If you wished to have it's Latin equivalent it would be something along the lines of Orsinius.

[@BansaiiBerserker]

@@botas5254 Björn/Bjørn just means "Bear" (in Swedish, Dannish and Norwegian) Don't ask me why we have kept it as a name, never met someone named Wolf or Moose.

[@OldSloGuy]

Just my speculation here: This is the instrument of the hunt master! Bass frequencies emitted as lofty as practical for a standing man would have carried the farthest. This would have been used to signal releasing the dogs, and warning the archers of he progress. This would drive the wild boars in the desired direction for the ambush. While this exercise would have brought home the bacon, it also had military value. Orchestrating a hunt would also maintain skills useful in battle. I believe this was a dual purpose instrument used to marshal men for various purposes. Since the wild boar is a very dangerous animal, the hunt demonstrated who had the skills that would be most useful in battle and function as a military boot camp. Young men would be tested in an environment that was the closest approximation of combat available and putting food on the table was the reward for taking that risk.

[@henrys.6333]

I really like this idea! It gives so much practical and ceremonial depth to the instrument that I hadn't thought of. I would love if there was more information on these powerful instruments that might expand on things like this.

[@MantraHerbInchSin]

This is more interesting than what I thought... Stayed for the whole video. The part about reconstructing musical instrument being completely different, I agree fully

[@davebostick9133]

I just learned that I can see and hear the carnyx the evening of May 13, at the National Museum of Scotland. Worth a detour, if not a journey, under the Michelin rating system.

[@smac3662]

Thank you for your efforts in the reproduction of a lost Celtic instrument and explanation of the many instruments that aren't spoken of in reference to this culture. So much history has been lost either due to wars that ensure the winning sides history is only shown; thus lost Arts, Beliefs & Music

[@lambertcusson593]

Imagine roman soldiers meeting a hord of blue men shouting with that sound coming on... Really scary and spooky. Quick build the wall!

[@softporcupine4514]

Imagine hearing it behind you as you watch your roman enemies tremble

[@Ulexcool]

More like lets try to scare the Romans with this trumpet before they ANNIHILATE our entire race.

[@thrand6760]

wonder how they felt, on one hand they knew they were fighting less advanced, more primitice people, and that their equipement and fighting tactics beats them anyday of the week, but at the same time... hearing this perhaps the romans were incredibly well drilled and fearless, trusting in their formations, only routing when the formation broke

[@spicychinchin6597]

@@thrand6760 the celts were far from primitive, they were the ones who invented chain mail after all, and had equal armerments to the romans when they were at battle,, romans borrowed heavily from celtic armor. Romans had numbers, unlike the celts, who were a collection of different peoples with different cultures and leadership who shared some commonality and language, the romans were unified. There are various roman advantages that led to the inevitable steam roll of most of europe, however the celts, of which were many different peoples were competent and comparable in combat to their roman adversaries, and often get a barbaric or primitive reputation for some reason.

[@spicychinchin6597]

@@thrand6760 I agree though, this would have been unsettling to say the least, vary fascinating

[@esperthebard]

This just transported me to another place and time. Much gratitude.

[@Knightly_Artworks]

imagine just jumping onto a bench and playing the trombone for attention in a museum. Alpha male power move supreme

[@noongourfain]

Carnyx has gotta be the ultimate alpha male instrument.

[@shawnbottom4769]

You do realize he is probably employed/contracted by the museum right? You realize it’s a show right? Quit projecting your BS smh.

[@erronblack308]

What are you saying

[@jaymac7203]

I've always wondered what a Carnyx sounded like? 🤔 I love the enthusiasm of the speaker. You just have to love the great work done by museums 😊

[@bieuxyongson]

didn’t think I would sit through this but WOW! This lecture was amazingly fascinating. It sounds terrifying! You can close your eyes and be transported back to that battle. Mr Kenny is a wonderful speaker and has so much enthusiasm for his work. Thank you.

[@clippedwings225]

Thank you for uploading this. I recently found out about the Carnyx and am very glad to be able to see and hear it being played, along with all of Kenny's commentary regarding some other instruments.

[@BulkBrogan.]

Now that I think about it trombones would also make a kickass war horn too lmao

[@emilbrandwyne5747]

I personally think the carnyx would make for a cool jazz instrument

[@appointedzeusthegod5125]

Fanfare for trombone is what he plays its fantastic

[@BanjoNoob2]

Yeah but for real wartime stuff you'd probably want to eliminate fiddly moving parts that might break, and might want to put it in a shorter package so that you don't hamper the soldier who has to carry it too much. Oh wait, that's a bugle.

[@clairey6407]

Maybe both armies would think twice about fighting and just have a dance instead 😉.

[@appointedzeusthegod5125]

@@clairey6407 haha good point i think that would be a blast if that ever happened

[@elhawatky]

This is easily one of the coolest things I’ve watched in a very long time 🙌 Now where to get one… lol

[@potatopotatoeOG]

I love the opening and the way he spoke so passionately and knowledgeably about instruments and the culture. Can't wait for us Africans to continue growing our understanding of our history while having spaces for it to be shared and exposed to our people.

[@NebulousArray]

he even used the tongue to make a sound on its own.. what an impressive and fascinating instrument

[@marcuspvxea]

Someone playing a historical piece in a museum would make me go to one.

[@BanjoNoob2]

What kind of shitty museums do you have wherever you live?

[@teh_masterer14]

Remarkable listening to a piece of history like this, sends shivers down your spine

[@ColonelK0rn1]

As a sousaphone and tuba player, I can appreciate how much work Mr. Kenny put into his technique for playing that remarkable instrument. Thank you for sharing this video with us; it was quite splendid!

[@funkygoobermelon]

38:42. What a horrifying sound this instrument can make. When playing alongside other carnyxs, it can drone in low hums like a wave, it can rattle like collapsing lungs and broken bones, it can cut across chaotic noise below, and it can scream, and shriek like human agony. - It’s capable of placid recognizable tones similar to a cello even. But I find when it’s played like the coming of death that it evokes more of its history.

[@jonthebru]

What a fantastic location for this lecture and performance.

[@traskirata]

Thought this was short when I clicked on it. I wish it was longer, but damn Kenny's playing is nothing short of magical, I was entranced all throughout Mouthpiece of the Gods

[@cynth7616]

OMG! I can imagine this in some ancient amphitheater, a dark night, roaring fire. This would connect you directly to the ancestors. SO AMAZING!!! Wow just wow!

[@LordHugorion]

actually the celts dind´t had theares, as the Greeks and romans. but the romans later had the cornu, an ancestor of the horn,trombone, trumpets as well. with similar mighty sounds like the karnyx

[@Hopeless_and_Forlorn]

Never mind the learned discourse and wonderful talent, I would kill just to have this gentleman's voice, diction, and British accent. I would put on a fake Bluetooth earpiece and go around loudly talking to myself.

[@clairey6407]

Fascinating! John Kenny is brilliant to listen to. And the Carnyx is incredible! It's terrifying and rather beautiful.

[@EmilyAllan]

KZbin brought me here at the end of a year of a worldwide plague and after the nashville bombing. The music fits the mood. 2021 is gonna be bonkers.

[@kennethbain4290]

Emily, I do believe you hit the nail on the head. "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto !"😱😉

[@EmilyAllan]

@@kennethbain4290 - Thank you.

[@kebman]

The British Museum is a great place to visit whenever you're in London.

[@thearchitecturalgamer6652]

I just happily watched a lecture without even realizing it. Man why can’t universities teach like this?

[@LordHugorion]

It feels so good to listen to this piece of precious Culture in that strange days....

[@tonybonnici5920]

Fascinating... .And made more interesting my John Kenny's presentation. If I heard a Carnyx in the middle of a forest at night, I'd need a fast trip to the laundrette... Awesome!

[@MrAcidKnight]

What an engaging and well learned man. It's great to see people who have a passion and love to share it. The acoustics of this place sound incredible too.

[@unknownz1238]

Bruh I don’t know what’s KZbin recommendation keep giving me people playing carnyx but this is cool knowledge

[@daredemontriple6]

It's late in the night, cold, dark, wet. The full moon has illuminated the fog drenched landscape of Brittania since 3 meals ago. The man who has sentry with you tonight, Domitius, has descended into the watchtower base to fetch some Calda. Then something catches your eye, you lean out under the eave and peer into the mist toward the distant pines, their tips like jagged rocks in the sea. It's quiet, the small fire below crackles and spits, the dense rain sizzles all around you, and then suddenly you hear it. From out there in the darkness, somewhere in the forest not so far away. 38:44

[@jamsheed1388]

You turn to Domitius and the only words that are able to escape your quivering lips are ''.....o irrumabo''

[@wolfza2630]

"Fooking savages assaulting again in this shit weather mate, pass the wine ration and tell Decatus to form up the ranks, it's going to be a long day"

[@1SpicyMeataball]

Why is there always fucking fog in these stories?

[@nirestrunk4923]

I could listen to this guy for hours.

[@apathtrampledbydeer8446]

Fantastic instrument, thank you for sharing this. I'e become obsessed with this intrument and it's sound.

[@jakobbisgaard4018]

I´ve never heard anything quite like that. Truely otherworldly sounds. Thank U.

[@theaberrantdon]

I fell asleep while this was playing. Don't do that.

[@DeRien8]

My favorite thing to do with informative entertainment. My dreaming half-awake mind has lots of fun playing with the pieces.

[@hamaljay]

I didn't understand this comment till the very end. Whatever you were dreaming it must have been weird.

[@mimix2331]

Tell us your story, there are questions I didn't know I needed answers to.

[@tron-8140]

K-CHAK K-CHAK K-CHACK

[@PutinsMommyNeverHuggedHim]

@@DeRien8 1000000%

[@loveeachother7135]

That was QUITE POSSIBLY one of the MOST INFORMATIVE things I've seen in five years! Not to mention the coolest!

[@Dejahthoris22]

I love this so much. It takes me back in time somehow..

[@digiman76]

Watched this man plays this instrument here in Madrid today with an orchestra and another brilliant women with the Cornu instrument (at the National Music Auditorium). Needless to say it was a mindblowing experience.

[@Jtbrahh]

What an incredible sound. It would be so lovely to hear a group of men playing these outside on a foggy morning

[@projekt6_official]

I have no idea how I got here, but wow! This was absolutely fascinating!