Can someone explain the Philip Glass knock-knock joke to me?

[AngryAmish]

I don't get it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Philip Glass is a "minimalist" composer.

The minimalist style means he uses a lot of simple, repetitive melody and rhythm patterns. Hence the joke, which I think is really funny, even though, or maybe because, I like Philip Glass.


Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Knock Knock.

Who's there?

Philip Glass.

[AngryAmish]

2. alrighty then

thank you.

[kentauros]

3. Although technically, it should change about every 8-16 bars.

That and constantly flipping the time-signatures :)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Like this?

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Knockity knock.
Who's there?
Knockity knock.
Who's there?
Knockity knock.
Who's there?
Knockity knock.
Who's there?
Knock knock knock.
Who is there?
Knock knock knock.
Who is there?
Knock knock knock.
Who is there?
Knock knock knock.
Who is there?
Philip Glass.

[kentauros]

5. There ya go

:D

Now email it to him :P

[edbermac]

6. You have to listen to his music to understand.

He wrote a great score for the film Koyaanisqatsi, but it wasn't as 'repetitive' as the knock-knock joke allusion.

I have a CD of his called Music In Similar Motion which certainly qualifies.

[MiddleFingerMom]

7. I saw Philip Glass performing on SNL many years ago with about 10 people or so in his orchestra.

.
.
.
There were a number of keyboards in the ensemble and one of them was
producing the most beautiful, high-pitched, ethereal minimalist tones. It
took me quite a while to realize that it was a female vocalist. Stunning!!!
.
.
.

[SCantiGOP]

8. good joke, great composer

I've seen him live three times. Have a dozen or so CD's, and got the 8 CD set last Christmas.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. I call it Death by Arpeggio.

Sounds boring to me.

[struggle4progress]

10. And here's the John Cage knock-knock joke:

[RedCloud]

11. And the Dutch knock knock joke.

Knock knock

Who's there?

Amsterdam

Amsterdam who?

Amsterdam door before I come in there and knock your damn teeth down your throat, you Zuiderzee draining son of a bitch.