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An example of instrumorphing, from "World's Smallest Violin":


Instrumorphing is a technique that AJR used in some of the songs in OK Orchestra. It involves mixing during an instrumental section of a song, in a way that seamlessly transitions between two or more different instruments, while keeping a consistent melody. So far, it has been used in four songs.

The name "instrumorphing" was coined by a fan on Twitter (@AJROKO). However, AJR stated on their Twitter that this name was "too good not to use", and they confirmed that it is now an official term.[1]

Examples[]

  • "Bummerland" (2:10 - 2:34): The first public example of instrumorphing. Heard during the bridge of the song.
  • "Way Less Sad" (3:12 - 3:27): Heard at the very end of the song.
  • "World's Smallest Violin" (0:55 - 1:10, 2:01 - 2:17): Possibly the most notable example of instrumorphing. It is used twice in the song, each directly after the chorus. The first example transitions from violin to trumpet to piano to violin, and the second example transitions from violin to vocals to electric guitar to xylophone.
  • "OK Overture" (1:13 - 1:20): The shortest example so far. This song has an instrumental section, containing a sample of the first instrumorphing section in "World's Smallest Violin".
  • "Overture" (1:39-1:47): AJR's first attempt at morphing instruments, they wouldn't do another attempt for over 5 years.

References[]

  1. "It’s called instrumorphing now. A fan came up with it, but it’s too good of a name to not use" Tweet by AJR on April 3, 2021
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