Today’s debate is a matchup between two musical marvels. It’s viola vs. keyboard! Vying for the viola’s rich, velvety tones it’s violist Sam Bergman, and repping the keyboard’s versatility and funky beats is musician Katie Drahos! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Vote below for the team YOU think won!
Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $5/month (or $45/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today. As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!
Educators - Lesson plan for Smash Boom Best - Viola vs. Keyboard [Right click to download]
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PRESENTER: From the brains behind Brains On, it's Smash Boom Best.
AMIRA: The show for people with big opinions.
[THEME MUSIC]
MOLLY BLOOM: Hi, I'm Molly Bloom, and this is Smash Boom Best, the show where we take two things, smash them together, and ask you to decide which one is best. Today's debate is a match-up between two musical marvels-- it's viola versus keyboard.
We've got violist and executive director of the Apple Hill Center For Chamber Music, Sam Bergman, ready to vie for team Viola.
SAM BERGMAN: No, listen, I promise, it's not a violin.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS] And keyboardist, musician, and member of many bands, Katie Drahos is here to rock the keys for team Keyboard.
KATIE DRAHOS: It's Katie Drahos, and I'm here to boast that keyboards really do be doing the most.
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm-mm. And here to judge it all is Amira from Memphis, Tennessee. Amira loves theater, is in her school's K-pop club, makes short films with her pals, and raves about her mother's veggie pizza recipe.
Hi, Amira.
AMIRA: Hi.
MOLLY BLOOM: So, Amira, what do you like about K-pop?
AMIRA: I like K-pop because it has a lot of different types of songs. There can be sad songs, happy songs.
MOLLY BLOOM: Awesome. I've listened to a lot of K-pop, too. I really like K-pop. But I'm not in a K-pop club. So can you tell me what you do in a K-pop club?
AMIRA: We mostly just watch videos, talk about stuff that's going on. We just hang out.
MOLLY BLOOM: To keep up on the latest hang out, listen to music. That sounds fun.
AMIRA: Mm-hmm.
MOLLY BLOOM: What's your favorite K-pop band?
AMIRA: BTS.
MOLLY BLOOM: Of course. OK, you're very wise, clearly. Do you have any advice for our debaters today?
AMIRA: I would say for the debaters, it's important to have a lot of laughs in your debate, but also share important facts.
MOLLY BLOOM: We need laughs, we need facts. Will Amira side with Sam or Katie? Only time will tell. But first, here are the rules of the game.
Every debate consists of four rounds-- the Declaration of Greatness, the Micro Round, the Sneak Attack, and the Final Six. After each round, our judge, Amira, will award points to the team that impresses her the most, but she'll keep her decisions top secret until the end of the debate.
Listeners, we want you to judge, too. Mark down your points as you listen. At the end of the show, head to our website, smashboom.org, and vote for whichever team you think won.
All right. Sam, Katie, and Amira, are you ready?
SAM BERGMAN: Let's go.
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah.
AMIRA: Let's do it.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right. Then it's time for the--
PRESENTER: Declaration of Greatness.
MOLLY BLOOM: In this round, our debaters will present a well-crafted, immersive argument in favor of their side. Then they'll each have 30 seconds to rebut their opponent's statements. We flipped a coin. And Sam, you're up first. Tell us what makes violas so vibrant.
[ORCHESTRA PLAYING]
[THUMPING]
SAM BERGMAN: Settle down. Settle down, everyone. [CLEARS THROAT] All right, let's get this rehearsal started with the "Symphony" by Brahms. And here we go.
["SYMPHONY" PLAYING]
Wait, stop. Oh, something is missing. Are you all playing the right parts?
SUBJECT 1: Of course.
SUBJECT 2: Yeah, definitely.
SUBJECT 3: Yeah, definitely.
SAM BERGMAN: Well, I can hear the melody and the bass line, but it's like the whole core of the sound has just been deleted. Ugh! It wasn't like this yesterday.
CREW: It's the violas. They're on strike. They say they're not going to play until everyone appreciates them. They're over there in the corner with their little picket signs.
VIOLAS: (CHANTING) Hey ho, we won't bow. This disrespect has got to go! Hey ho, we won't bow. This disrespect has got to go!
SAM BERGMAN: Oh, for the love of-- Violas, hello. Do you suppose you might want to join us for some lovely Brahms this morning?
VIOLA: Not until everyone is nicer to us.
SAM BERGMAN: Mm, nicer to you. Ugh, I see. May I ask, who hasn't been nice to you? Oh, wait. It's the violins, isn't it?
VIOLA: Yes.
VIOLIN: Look, to be fair, the violas don't really do anything.
CROWD: [GASPS]
VIOLIN: They don't play the melody like us violins.
CROWD: [GASPS]
VIOLIN: And they don't play the bass line.
CROWD: [GASPS]
VIOLIN: They're irrelevant.
CROWD: Ooh!
SAM BERGMAN: Yes, the violists, underappreciated by many, but beloved by those who know the true secret to a great string sound.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Some of the earliest stringed instruments first developed in places like India, China, and the Arabian Peninsula. While we don't know exactly when or where the first viola was invented, we do know that people started using violas in Italy starting way back in the 1500s.
A viola looks like a slightly larger violin. And like a violin, it's held between the player's chin and shoulder. But the similarities end there. The violin is designed to be high-pitched and a little bit shrill, able to kick out a powerful sound over the rest of the orchestra. Violas have a mellower, almost buttery sound. Let me show you.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
It's so buttery, right? That's a tune by my friend Alice Jones called "The People Could Fly," and it sounds perfect on viola. Now because of its awkward size, the viola is challenging to play. We, violists, spend hours, months, and years perfecting our bow holds and our hand positions.
We practice muscle relaxation and breathing exercises like we're in a yoga class, but the payoff is worth it when you hear how warm, full, and resonant our music is.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Now compare that with an electronic keyboard, which, let's face it, is really more of a robot pretending to be a whole bunch of other instruments. It's like those annoying AI prompts that pop up on every website and app now.
CLACKY: Hi, I'm Clacky, the keyboard, your digital music assistant. It looks like you might be trying to make a sound like a trumpet, or a bassoon, or possibly, a heckelphone. Would you like me to help you out with my preloaded artificial heckelphone enabler unit?
SAM BERGMAN: Ugh! That guy is the worst. Another great thing about violas is that they are team players. They're the Mr. Rogers of musical instruments because they're helpful and cooperative. They support other instruments from within the ensemble.
Violists know that music isn't about being the flashiest or hogging the spotlight. Music is best when it is shared, when we work together to create deep connections between people who might otherwise never know that they had anything in common. And no instrument represents this cooperative approach to music better than the viola.
CREW: That's right. And did you hear how barren and cold our symphony sounded without them? Violas give warmth and vitality to an orchestra. Right, violas?
VIOLAS: Yeah!
CREW: Well, I'm glad we settled that. Now, violas, will you please come back so that everyone can hear just how much you add to our ensemble?
VIOLAS: OK. OK. That's OK.
CREW: Thank you. Now, from the top, once again. This time, with all of us.
["SYMPHONY" PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: A harmonious ode to the lovely viola. Amira, what stood out to you about Sam's Declaration of Greatness?
AMIRA: I liked that he showed not just facts, but also how viola is used in everyday life and how it makes orchestras better.
MOLLY BLOOM: Very nice. Katie, it is time for your rebuttal. Tell us why the viola is no better than an old bowl of granola. You've got 30 seconds, and your time starts now.
KATIE DRAHOS: Well, I mean, just to start off, it's not accessible. Why do I need to know a secret in order to get what this instrument is all about? Also, you play me a viola and a violin, I don't know who's who. Sorry.
And also, I was falling asleep until that cool robot showed up and stole the entire show! So I'm sorry. You made a point about AI, and this robot wasn't that cool. But literally, I was falling asleep until that cool robot showed up.
MOLLY BLOOM: And-- time.
SAM BERGMAN: I will tell you what. You want to talk about accessibility. Katie is playing a keyboard that in order to even get it into room to play it for people, she's got to pack it up, unpack it, repack it, set it up. It takes an entire table to put it on. It's basically a piece of furniture. She has no ability to just sling that thing on her back and then take it out and play it.
My viola can go anywhere. It can go on a train, in a car, on a plane, on my back, on my bicycle. And I can play for anyone, anytime.
MOLLY BLOOM: Katie, I feel like you should describe your keyboard.
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah. Well, my keyboard is smaller than your viola.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
KATIE DRAHOS: I also took this on a plane to Spain earlier this year as a carry-on. It's the size of my forearm. It's extremely powerful, so I don't really know what you're talking about.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
SAM BERGMAN: So what you're telling me is that you've brought a keyboard today that has a fraction of the number of keys that a keyboard is supposed to have. That's what I'm hearing.
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah, and it does just as much, if not better.
SAM BERGMAN: We'll see about that.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right, Katie, it is your turn. Please tell us why the keyboard is king.
ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the keyboard throwdown! The only wrestling competition where we see who will be crowned the king of kings!
[CROWD ROARING]
In this corner, we've got the classic Piano ready to rumble!
[ALL CHEERING]
PIANO: Ah! Chip chip cheerio.
ANNOUNCER: And in the other corner, we've got the young Synth here to smack down!
SYNTH: I'm going to have you running back to your motherboard.
ANNOUNCER: And here to make it interesting is the keyboard Glockenspiel!
[CROWD ROARING]
GLOCKENSPIEL: Glockenspiel!
ANNOUNCER: Which keyboard will win? Only time will tell. Now, let's rumble!
[DINGING]
KATIE DRAHOS: Jeez, I have no idea who will win that fight, but it's sure going to be fun to watch.
There are so many different keyboards, and I love them all. Pianos, synthesizers, organs. I even love glockenspiels. Why? Because keyboards are a great way to jump into music. Some other instruments require you to learn special breathing or finger techniques.
But with keyboards, all you need is the ability to press keys one, then another, and another. And the next thing you know, you're playing.
Seriously, which sounds like a better music lesson? This?
SUBJECT 4: To play the viola, you must shape your hand like a chicken's foot and place your fingers atop these strings.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
KATIE DRAHOS: Or this?
SUBJECT 5: Just hit those piano keys in this order.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
KATIE DRAHOS: Isn't that so much simpler? And with a digital keyboard, you can program in different sounds. So the instrument can sound like anything-- horns, marimbas, bells. Maybe you like Beethoven's "5th Symphony in C Minor," so you decide to play it on piano.
[PIANO PLAYING]
But then, you decide you want to play a little differently. So you program whistles into your digital keyboard.
[WHISTLING]
But then, you want something sillier. So you make your keyboard sound like butts.
[FARTING]
Now, that's what I call music.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Another key difference between the keyboard and the viola is that the keyboard is affordable. While most violas can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, you can probably find a used keyboard for sale in your neighborhood for $30, which means almost anyone can start playing, and even writing their own music.
That's because the keyboard is a one-stop musical shop. You can use it to create melody, basslines, and even rhythms. It can be a whole band. That's why so many incredible musicians play the keyboards-- Stevie Wonder, Elton John, myself. The list goes on.
Plus, keyboards don't break down as easily as other instruments.
SUBJECT 6: Oh, no, bro. I totally broke my guitar string.
SUBJECT 7: Dude, you got to drive to the faraway music store to get a new one.
SUBJECT 6: Dude!
SUBJECT 7: Dude!
BOTH: Dude!
KATIE DRAHOS: I'm in three bands, and snapping strings is a very common problem. You know what isn't as common, though? A broken keyboard. I've had my microKORG synthesizer for nearly 10 years. And in that time, it's never let me down. And it's covered for other instruments when they've broken down because it can make so many kinds of sounds. I love you, Synth.
SYNTH: I love you, Katie.
KATIE DRAHOS: Whoa. I didn't know I could do that. But I'm not surprised. I love keyboards. I love to learn from them, to buy them, to play them. Heck, I even love it when they wrestle. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a match to watch.
[CROWD ROARING]
ANNOUNCER: Oh my goodness! It looks like Glockenspiel has pinned the classic Piano!
PIANO: Oh! Goodness, my back.
GLOCKENSPIEL: Glockenspiel!
[CROWD CHEERING]
KATIE DRAHOS: Oh, man.
MOLLY BLOOM: Katie's showing us why keyboards have the keys to all of our hearts. Amira, what stood out to you about Katie's argument?
AMIRA: I like that she ended it with the glockenspiel winning.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS] Definitely. Any facts about keyboards that will stick with you?
AMIRA: Probably that, like with the keys, they can make different noises whatever you program into it.
MOLLY BLOOM: Totally. All right, Sam, it is time for your rebuttal. Tell us why keyboards don't strike a chord. You've got 30 seconds. And your time starts now.
SAM BERGMAN: Well, listen, I also love a glockenspiel. Who doesn't? But Katie's argument sounded like, you don't have an instrument there. You've got a full-blown identity crisis. You have no idea what instrument you want to play. And so you've just decided to pick up a computer that can sound like any of them as soon as your mood changes.
And frankly, I don't know what you have against learning to play something and do it well. I mean, if you decided to become a great cook, would you learn to chop vegetables and put things together in a great recipe? Or would you throw a frozen dinner in the microwave?
MOLLY BLOOM: And-- time?
KATIE DRAHOS: First of all, what do you have against people with identity crises?
[LAUGHTER]
That's my first question. I think there's room for us all here. Let's be for real. And sometimes, you just want a little bit of everything.
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm-hmm. All right. Amira, it is time to award some points. Please give one point to the Declaration of Greatness that you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that won you over. You get to decide what makes a winning argument.
Did one team's jokes make you giggle? Was another team's logic impeccable? Award your points, but don't tell us who they're going to. It's completely subjective and completely up to you.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Have you made your decision?
AMIRA: I have.
[DINGS]
MOLLY BLOOM: Excellent. Katie and Sam, how are you two feeling so far?
KATIE DRAHOS: I feel great, per usual. But, yeah, I feel really good. I feel like my arguments are strong. I feel like the other team's arguments aren't that great.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
KATIE DRAHOS: I'm feeling good.
MOLLY BLOOM: Sam?
SAM BERGMAN: I'm feeling all right. I felt good about my argument. I will admit I'm a little nervous about the fact that I did not think to include a pro wrestling match in my Declaration of Greatness.
MOLLY BLOOM: Yes. Well, maybe you'll find a way to sneak that in later. It is time for a quick break. Adjust your bridge and wipe down your keys.
AMIRA: And we'll be right back with more Smash Boom Best.
PRESENTER: You're listening to State of Debate, home to rage and rhetoric and awe-inspiring argumentation.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: Hello, debatiacs. This is Taylor Lincoln here with my flower friend.
TODD DOUGLAS: Todd Douglas. We're standing in my garden waiting for my tulips to bloom.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: I just wish they'd put the pedal to the metal and bloom already.
TODD DOUGLAS: This reminds me of a real stinker of a logical fallacy I heard the other day.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: Those are unbelievably bad arguments that don't stand up to scrutiny.
TODD DOUGLAS: And this one was the hasty generalization fallacy. That's when you make a bold statement about a group or phenomenon without evidence to back it up. Here, let's listen.
JERRY: Ah! Is there anything better than a perfectly maintained garden, Tony?
[BUZZING]
TONY: I don't think there is, Jerry. As a matter of-- ah!
JERRY: What's wrong?
TONY: There's a bee in your rose bushes! Bees gobble up all the nectar flowers have to offer. Your garden is going to shrivel up in a few days.
JERRY: What? Where'd you get that idea?
TONY: Bees need nectar. It's how they make honey. If we don't stop this infestation, they'll drain your flowers to death!
[BUZZER]
TAYLOR LINCOLN: Ooh, wow. It sure sounds like Tony has a problem with bees.
TODD DOUGLAS: I'll say. But he didn't have any evidence to back up his claim. Sure, bees drink nectar from flowers, but that doesn't hurt the flower.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: Yeah. Bees actually pollinate flowers, which helps plants survive.
TODD DOUGLAS: Oh my gosh. Taylor, look, the flowers are blooming! Quick, take a picture.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: We'll see you next time on--
TAYLOR AND TODD: State of Debate!
[MUSIC PLAYING]
NARRATOR: Brains On! Universe is a family of podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Smash Boom Best, you'll love the other shows in our universe. Come on, let's explore.
COMPUTER: It's alien laundry day. While I wash my nose mufflers and tummy togas, I'll listen to a new podcast. [GIGGLES] How about--
[KEYPAD CLACKING]
[BUZZER]
Forever Ago? My favorite history podcast.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
SPEAKER 1: Whoa. I was not expecting that to work. Or for it to sound this good.
JOY DOLO: That's the DJ Dolo technique.
ANNOUNCER: DJ Dolo!
JOY DOLO: (RAPPING) When I say pizza, you say bagel
Pizza
SPEAKER 1: Bagel--
COMPUTER: Zorp. Signal down! Aah! Stay right there, Tummy Togas. Must find Forever Ago now!
SPEAKER 2: Listen to Forever Ago wherever you get your podcasts.
SPEAKER 3: Best.
MOLLY BLOOM: Smash. Smash.
SPEAKER 3: Best.
MOLLY BLOOM: You're listening to Smash Boom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom.
AMIRA: And I'm your judge, Amira.
MOLLY BLOOM: And we love getting debate suggestions from our listeners. Take a listen to this potato-based debate idea from Ezra.
EZRA: My debate idea is French fries versus potato chips.
AMIRA: Can anyone hear my stomach rumbling?
MOLLY BLOOM: Or mine? We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Ezra thinks should win.
AMIRA: And now, it's back to our debate-- viola versus keyboard.
MOLLY BLOOM: That's right. And it's time for round 2-- the Micro Round. Today's Micro Round challenge is-- Twinkle, Twinkle, I'm a star. I'm going to ask each of you to play "Twinkle, Twinkle," that famous song, in three different styles. We'll go back and forth.
You don't have to play the whole song as much as you'd like. Debaters, are you ready?
KATIE DRAHOS: Yes.
SAM BERGMAN: Oh yeah.
MOLLY BLOOM: So, Katie, you're up first. Let's hear you do "Twinkle, Twinkle" in the style of jazz.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Lovely. I was swinging to that. All right, Sam, let's hear you do "Twinkle, Twinkle" in the style of country Western.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Twangy. I like it. OK, Katie, let's hear you do it in the style of dance music.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Wow, I was grooving, I was bopping, I was dancing in my chair. All right, Sam, let's take it down a notch, and let's hear a lullaby version.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Mm. So relaxing. All right, Katie, your last genre for "Twinkle, Twinkle" is Broadway musical.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Yes, jazz hands. Jazz hands. All right, Sam. And finally, avant-garde classical music.
SAM BERGMAN: Mm. All right. Everyone with me, please imagine that I am wearing a black turtleneck--
[MOLLY AND KATIE LAUGHING]
--and that I look very bored.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Cutting edge. Oh my gosh, that was the future right there. Incredible.
SAM BERGMAN: Let's hope not.
[ALL LAUGHING]
MOLLY BLOOM: I enjoyed all of those renditions very much. So, Amira, tell me, what stood out to you there about those beautiful versions of "Twinkle, Twinkle?"
AMIRA: I think the keyboards version of the Broadway musical was very good. It reminded me of some kind of small town music number.
MOLLY BLOOM: Totally.
AMIRA: I liked the country one for viola. It just felt very country to me.
MOLLY BLOOM: Totally. They were both so good. But I'm sorry to say, Amira, you can only award one point for this round. The criteria are totally subjective and totally up to you. Did someone really capture the genres? Did someone make you dance? Did someone relax you? Did someone give you a vision of what they were going for?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Have you awarded your point?
AMIRA: Yes, I have.
[DINGS]
MOLLY BLOOM: Fantastic. And it's time for our third round, the super stealthy--
SPEAKER 4: Ah-hah! Hoo-hah!
MOLLY BLOOM: Sneak Attack. This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot. Today's Sneak Attack is called Instrument Charades. How expressive can your instrument be?
We're going to give you three challenges, and we want you to make your instrument embody that thing. Debaters, does this make sense? Are you ready?
KATIE DRAHOS: I'm so ready.
SAM BERGMAN: Absolutely.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right. Sam, you are up first this time. So please make your instrument sound like it's laughing.
SAM BERGMAN: Ooh.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Nice.
KATIE DRAHOS: Nice.
MOLLY BLOOM: Nice. Little giggle there. All right, Katie, same challenge. Let's hear your keyboard sound like it's laughing.
KATIE DRAHOS: Hmm. That is an interesting one.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm. Yeah. [LAUGHS]
Very nice. OK. Katie, you're going to go first on this next one. Please make your instruments sound like it's crying.
KATIE DRAHOS: Ooh.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, man. Brought tears to my eyes. Sam, same challenge. Please make your viola sound like it's crying.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Oh, Viola, buddy, it's going to be OK! OK, very good. Sam, we're going to have you go first on this next challenge. Please make your instrument sound like a robot.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Yes, I felt it. Angular. Metallic. Roboty. All right. Katie, same challenge. Please make your keyboard sound like a robot.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
SAM BERGMAN: I would just like to point out that Katie's instrument is a robot.
KATIE DRAHOS: [LAUGHS]
MOLLY BLOOM: Fair.
SAM BERGMAN: And so I don't know about the fairness of that last one. I feel like mine should get to sound like a viola if she's going to get to sound like a robot.
MOLLY BLOOM: Yes, please make your sound like a hollow body piece of wood.
SAM BERGMAN: Yeah. Yeah, let's hear that.
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah, I could do that. I could do that.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right. Anyhow, it's all up to Amira to take into consideration. Here is our final challenge. Katie, please make your instrument sound like the animal of your choosing.
KATIE DRAHOS: Oh, OK. Frog.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Ribbit. Love it. All right.
SAM BERGMAN: Was that a robot frog? Because--
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS] Maybe.
KATIE DRAHOS: Robot frogs are animals, too.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
SAM BERGMAN: Mm. That feels like another episode.
[LAUGHTER]
MOLLY BLOOM: All right, Sam, last one. Let's hear your viola sound like any animal you like.
SAM BERGMAN: We're going to go with a cow.
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Oh, my gosh, I can smell the cow. That was so realistic. Well done. Amira, those were some excellent impersonations, but only one side is going to get a point. So please, Amira, think about which side impressed you the most and award your fourth point. Again, the criteria are totally subjective. Did someone really nail it? Did someone impress you with their quick thinking?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Have you made your decision?
AMIRA: I have.
[DINGS]
MOLLY BLOOM: Perfect. Then it's time for our final round-- the Final Six. In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side. Katie, let's hear six words that give kudos to keyboards.
KATIE DRAHOS: Accessible, fun, everyone can play forever! Yay!
MOLLY BLOOM: Excellent. All right, Sam, it is your turn. Give us six words on why violas should be victorious.
SAM BERGMAN: A triumph of the human spirit.
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm. I see what you did there. OK, Amira, it is time to award a final point for this Final Six.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Have you made your decision?
AMIRA: Yes.
[DINGS]
MOLLY BLOOM: [GASPS] All right, add up those points. Are you ready to crown one team the Smash Boom Best?
AMIRA: I am.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right. Drum roll, please. And the winner is--
AMIRA: Viola!
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Ooh!
SAM BERGMAN: Woo-hoo!
MOLLY BLOOM: My goodness.
KATIE DRAHOS: Wow.
SAM BERGMAN: Yeah.
MOLLY BLOOM: Amira, was there a moment that decided it for you? What was your favorite part?
AMIRA: It really came down to the Final Six. It was tied before that.
MOLLY BLOOM: [GASPS] As close as close can be.
AMIRA: Also, the cow, when he impersonated a cow.
[LAUGHTER]
KATIE DRAHOS: That cow was pretty good.
AMIRA: Yeah.
MOLLY BLOOM: Pretty, pretty good.
SAM BERGMAN: Well, listen, it is always a pleasure to be in any room with Katie Drahos. She's an incredible musician. And one of the best things about being a musician is getting to look and sound and feel cool while you're doing what you do. And there is just no musician I know cooler than Katie. I'm in awe, truly.
KATIE DRAHOS: Aw.
MOLLY BLOOM: That's really sweet.
KATIE DRAHOS: That's really sweet. Well, Sam, it's also ditto, honestly. But Sam is such a prolific and amazing musician and being able to even collaborate in the space is so much fun. And I got to learn so many new things about the viola. Maybe I will have more of an appreciation after leaving this session--
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
KATIE DRAHOS: --even though I do still love robots a lot. But no, Sam is incredible, and I just loved being able to spend time with him.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: And that is it for today's debate battle. Amira crowned violas the Smash Boom Best. But what about you?
AMIRA: Head to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who you think won.
MOLLY BLOOM: Smash Boom Best is brought to you by Brains On and APM Studios. It's produced by me, Molly Bloom.
ANNA WEGGEL: Anna Weggel.
MOLLY BLOOM: And--
ARON WOLDESLASSIE: Aron Woldeslassie.
MOLLY BLOOM: We had engineering help from Derek Ramirez, Dan [? Cahill, ?] and [? Chris ?] [? Isaac, ?] with sound design by Rachel Brees and Anna Weggel. Our editors are--
SHAHLA FARZAN: Shahla Farzan.
MOLLY BLOOM: --and--
SANDEN TOTTEN: Sanden Totten.
MOLLY BLOOM: --with fact-checking by Ruby Guthrie. And we had production help from the rest of the Brains On Universe team--
ROSE DUPONT: Rose Dupont.
ANNA GOLDFIELD: Anna Goldfield.
NICO GONZALES WISLER: Nico Gonzalez Wisler.
LAUREN HUMPERT: Lauren Humpert.
JESS MILLER: Jess Miller.
JOSHUA RAY: Joshua Ray.
MARC SANCHEZ: Marc Sanchez.
MOLLY BLOOM: --and--
CHARLOTTE TRAVER: Charlotte Traver.
MOLLY BLOOM: Our executive producer is Beth Pearlman, and the APM Studios executives in charge are Chandra Kavati and Joanne Griffith. Our announcer is Marley Feuerwerker-Otto. And we want to give a special thanks to Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman.
Sam, is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to today?
SAM BERGMAN: I'd like to shout out the Apple Hill String Quartet who helped me record the music you heard in my Declaration of Greatness. That's Elise Kuder, Jesse MacDonald, Mike Kelley, and Jacob MacKay.
And also, I'd like to shout out the Minnesota Orchestra viola section where I played for 25 years.
MOLLY BLOOM: Wonderful. And how about you, Katie? Any special shout outs?
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah, I want to shout out my bands-- Butter Boys, Ghost Kitchen, and High Tiny Hairs, which you can catch around town all of the time. And then my cutie husband, David Drahos.
MOLLY BLOOM: Very nice. And how about you, Amira? Any special thanks or shout outs?
AMIRA: I want to thank my family, my friend Ashlyn, and all the people who have let me come on this podcast and just given me the opportunity to be here.
MOLLY BLOOM: You did a great job. Before we go, let's check in and see who Ezra thinks should win the French fries versus potato chips debate.
EZRA: I think potato chips would win big as they are more delicious than French fries. But French fries are delicious, too. Bye!
MOLLY BLOOM: Can't argue with that. Smash Boom Best is a non-profit public radio program. If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knock down, drag out debate, head to smashboom.org/contact and drop us a line.
And make sure to subscribe to Brains On universe on YouTube where you can watch animated versions of some of your favorite episodes. We'll be back with a new Smash Boom Best debate battle next week. Bye-bye.
KATIE DRAHOS: See ya.
SAM BERGMAN: Later!
AMIRA: After a while, crocodile.
[THEME MUSIC]
Ooh, you're the Smash Boom Best
Ooh, put you through the test
Ooh, you're the Smash Boom Best
Ooh, better than the rest
It's Smash Boom Best
You're Smash Boom Best
SAM BERGMAN: Can I just tune real quick so it doesn't sound terrible? Thanks.
MOLLY BLOOM: Yes, please.
SAM BERGMAN: Not something I have to do.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
SAM BERGMAN: All right.
AMIRA: The show for people with big opinions.
[THEME MUSIC]
MOLLY BLOOM: Hi, I'm Molly Bloom, and this is Smash Boom Best, the show where we take two things, smash them together, and ask you to decide which one is best. Today's debate is a match-up between two musical marvels-- it's viola versus keyboard.
We've got violist and executive director of the Apple Hill Center For Chamber Music, Sam Bergman, ready to vie for team Viola.
SAM BERGMAN: No, listen, I promise, it's not a violin.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS] And keyboardist, musician, and member of many bands, Katie Drahos is here to rock the keys for team Keyboard.
KATIE DRAHOS: It's Katie Drahos, and I'm here to boast that keyboards really do be doing the most.
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm-mm. And here to judge it all is Amira from Memphis, Tennessee. Amira loves theater, is in her school's K-pop club, makes short films with her pals, and raves about her mother's veggie pizza recipe.
Hi, Amira.
AMIRA: Hi.
MOLLY BLOOM: So, Amira, what do you like about K-pop?
AMIRA: I like K-pop because it has a lot of different types of songs. There can be sad songs, happy songs.
MOLLY BLOOM: Awesome. I've listened to a lot of K-pop, too. I really like K-pop. But I'm not in a K-pop club. So can you tell me what you do in a K-pop club?
AMIRA: We mostly just watch videos, talk about stuff that's going on. We just hang out.
MOLLY BLOOM: To keep up on the latest hang out, listen to music. That sounds fun.
AMIRA: Mm-hmm.
MOLLY BLOOM: What's your favorite K-pop band?
AMIRA: BTS.
MOLLY BLOOM: Of course. OK, you're very wise, clearly. Do you have any advice for our debaters today?
AMIRA: I would say for the debaters, it's important to have a lot of laughs in your debate, but also share important facts.
MOLLY BLOOM: We need laughs, we need facts. Will Amira side with Sam or Katie? Only time will tell. But first, here are the rules of the game.
Every debate consists of four rounds-- the Declaration of Greatness, the Micro Round, the Sneak Attack, and the Final Six. After each round, our judge, Amira, will award points to the team that impresses her the most, but she'll keep her decisions top secret until the end of the debate.
Listeners, we want you to judge, too. Mark down your points as you listen. At the end of the show, head to our website, smashboom.org, and vote for whichever team you think won.
All right. Sam, Katie, and Amira, are you ready?
SAM BERGMAN: Let's go.
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah.
AMIRA: Let's do it.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right. Then it's time for the--
PRESENTER: Declaration of Greatness.
MOLLY BLOOM: In this round, our debaters will present a well-crafted, immersive argument in favor of their side. Then they'll each have 30 seconds to rebut their opponent's statements. We flipped a coin. And Sam, you're up first. Tell us what makes violas so vibrant.
[ORCHESTRA PLAYING]
[THUMPING]
SAM BERGMAN: Settle down. Settle down, everyone. [CLEARS THROAT] All right, let's get this rehearsal started with the "Symphony" by Brahms. And here we go.
["SYMPHONY" PLAYING]
Wait, stop. Oh, something is missing. Are you all playing the right parts?
SUBJECT 1: Of course.
SUBJECT 2: Yeah, definitely.
SUBJECT 3: Yeah, definitely.
SAM BERGMAN: Well, I can hear the melody and the bass line, but it's like the whole core of the sound has just been deleted. Ugh! It wasn't like this yesterday.
CREW: It's the violas. They're on strike. They say they're not going to play until everyone appreciates them. They're over there in the corner with their little picket signs.
VIOLAS: (CHANTING) Hey ho, we won't bow. This disrespect has got to go! Hey ho, we won't bow. This disrespect has got to go!
SAM BERGMAN: Oh, for the love of-- Violas, hello. Do you suppose you might want to join us for some lovely Brahms this morning?
VIOLA: Not until everyone is nicer to us.
SAM BERGMAN: Mm, nicer to you. Ugh, I see. May I ask, who hasn't been nice to you? Oh, wait. It's the violins, isn't it?
VIOLA: Yes.
VIOLIN: Look, to be fair, the violas don't really do anything.
CROWD: [GASPS]
VIOLIN: They don't play the melody like us violins.
CROWD: [GASPS]
VIOLIN: And they don't play the bass line.
CROWD: [GASPS]
VIOLIN: They're irrelevant.
CROWD: Ooh!
SAM BERGMAN: Yes, the violists, underappreciated by many, but beloved by those who know the true secret to a great string sound.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Some of the earliest stringed instruments first developed in places like India, China, and the Arabian Peninsula. While we don't know exactly when or where the first viola was invented, we do know that people started using violas in Italy starting way back in the 1500s.
A viola looks like a slightly larger violin. And like a violin, it's held between the player's chin and shoulder. But the similarities end there. The violin is designed to be high-pitched and a little bit shrill, able to kick out a powerful sound over the rest of the orchestra. Violas have a mellower, almost buttery sound. Let me show you.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
It's so buttery, right? That's a tune by my friend Alice Jones called "The People Could Fly," and it sounds perfect on viola. Now because of its awkward size, the viola is challenging to play. We, violists, spend hours, months, and years perfecting our bow holds and our hand positions.
We practice muscle relaxation and breathing exercises like we're in a yoga class, but the payoff is worth it when you hear how warm, full, and resonant our music is.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Now compare that with an electronic keyboard, which, let's face it, is really more of a robot pretending to be a whole bunch of other instruments. It's like those annoying AI prompts that pop up on every website and app now.
CLACKY: Hi, I'm Clacky, the keyboard, your digital music assistant. It looks like you might be trying to make a sound like a trumpet, or a bassoon, or possibly, a heckelphone. Would you like me to help you out with my preloaded artificial heckelphone enabler unit?
SAM BERGMAN: Ugh! That guy is the worst. Another great thing about violas is that they are team players. They're the Mr. Rogers of musical instruments because they're helpful and cooperative. They support other instruments from within the ensemble.
Violists know that music isn't about being the flashiest or hogging the spotlight. Music is best when it is shared, when we work together to create deep connections between people who might otherwise never know that they had anything in common. And no instrument represents this cooperative approach to music better than the viola.
CREW: That's right. And did you hear how barren and cold our symphony sounded without them? Violas give warmth and vitality to an orchestra. Right, violas?
VIOLAS: Yeah!
CREW: Well, I'm glad we settled that. Now, violas, will you please come back so that everyone can hear just how much you add to our ensemble?
VIOLAS: OK. OK. That's OK.
CREW: Thank you. Now, from the top, once again. This time, with all of us.
["SYMPHONY" PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: A harmonious ode to the lovely viola. Amira, what stood out to you about Sam's Declaration of Greatness?
AMIRA: I liked that he showed not just facts, but also how viola is used in everyday life and how it makes orchestras better.
MOLLY BLOOM: Very nice. Katie, it is time for your rebuttal. Tell us why the viola is no better than an old bowl of granola. You've got 30 seconds, and your time starts now.
KATIE DRAHOS: Well, I mean, just to start off, it's not accessible. Why do I need to know a secret in order to get what this instrument is all about? Also, you play me a viola and a violin, I don't know who's who. Sorry.
And also, I was falling asleep until that cool robot showed up and stole the entire show! So I'm sorry. You made a point about AI, and this robot wasn't that cool. But literally, I was falling asleep until that cool robot showed up.
MOLLY BLOOM: And-- time.
SAM BERGMAN: I will tell you what. You want to talk about accessibility. Katie is playing a keyboard that in order to even get it into room to play it for people, she's got to pack it up, unpack it, repack it, set it up. It takes an entire table to put it on. It's basically a piece of furniture. She has no ability to just sling that thing on her back and then take it out and play it.
My viola can go anywhere. It can go on a train, in a car, on a plane, on my back, on my bicycle. And I can play for anyone, anytime.
MOLLY BLOOM: Katie, I feel like you should describe your keyboard.
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah. Well, my keyboard is smaller than your viola.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
KATIE DRAHOS: I also took this on a plane to Spain earlier this year as a carry-on. It's the size of my forearm. It's extremely powerful, so I don't really know what you're talking about.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
SAM BERGMAN: So what you're telling me is that you've brought a keyboard today that has a fraction of the number of keys that a keyboard is supposed to have. That's what I'm hearing.
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah, and it does just as much, if not better.
SAM BERGMAN: We'll see about that.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right, Katie, it is your turn. Please tell us why the keyboard is king.
ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the keyboard throwdown! The only wrestling competition where we see who will be crowned the king of kings!
[CROWD ROARING]
In this corner, we've got the classic Piano ready to rumble!
[ALL CHEERING]
PIANO: Ah! Chip chip cheerio.
ANNOUNCER: And in the other corner, we've got the young Synth here to smack down!
SYNTH: I'm going to have you running back to your motherboard.
ANNOUNCER: And here to make it interesting is the keyboard Glockenspiel!
[CROWD ROARING]
GLOCKENSPIEL: Glockenspiel!
ANNOUNCER: Which keyboard will win? Only time will tell. Now, let's rumble!
[DINGING]
KATIE DRAHOS: Jeez, I have no idea who will win that fight, but it's sure going to be fun to watch.
There are so many different keyboards, and I love them all. Pianos, synthesizers, organs. I even love glockenspiels. Why? Because keyboards are a great way to jump into music. Some other instruments require you to learn special breathing or finger techniques.
But with keyboards, all you need is the ability to press keys one, then another, and another. And the next thing you know, you're playing.
Seriously, which sounds like a better music lesson? This?
SUBJECT 4: To play the viola, you must shape your hand like a chicken's foot and place your fingers atop these strings.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
KATIE DRAHOS: Or this?
SUBJECT 5: Just hit those piano keys in this order.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
KATIE DRAHOS: Isn't that so much simpler? And with a digital keyboard, you can program in different sounds. So the instrument can sound like anything-- horns, marimbas, bells. Maybe you like Beethoven's "5th Symphony in C Minor," so you decide to play it on piano.
[PIANO PLAYING]
But then, you decide you want to play a little differently. So you program whistles into your digital keyboard.
[WHISTLING]
But then, you want something sillier. So you make your keyboard sound like butts.
[FARTING]
Now, that's what I call music.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Another key difference between the keyboard and the viola is that the keyboard is affordable. While most violas can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, you can probably find a used keyboard for sale in your neighborhood for $30, which means almost anyone can start playing, and even writing their own music.
That's because the keyboard is a one-stop musical shop. You can use it to create melody, basslines, and even rhythms. It can be a whole band. That's why so many incredible musicians play the keyboards-- Stevie Wonder, Elton John, myself. The list goes on.
Plus, keyboards don't break down as easily as other instruments.
SUBJECT 6: Oh, no, bro. I totally broke my guitar string.
SUBJECT 7: Dude, you got to drive to the faraway music store to get a new one.
SUBJECT 6: Dude!
SUBJECT 7: Dude!
BOTH: Dude!
KATIE DRAHOS: I'm in three bands, and snapping strings is a very common problem. You know what isn't as common, though? A broken keyboard. I've had my microKORG synthesizer for nearly 10 years. And in that time, it's never let me down. And it's covered for other instruments when they've broken down because it can make so many kinds of sounds. I love you, Synth.
SYNTH: I love you, Katie.
KATIE DRAHOS: Whoa. I didn't know I could do that. But I'm not surprised. I love keyboards. I love to learn from them, to buy them, to play them. Heck, I even love it when they wrestle. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a match to watch.
[CROWD ROARING]
ANNOUNCER: Oh my goodness! It looks like Glockenspiel has pinned the classic Piano!
PIANO: Oh! Goodness, my back.
GLOCKENSPIEL: Glockenspiel!
[CROWD CHEERING]
KATIE DRAHOS: Oh, man.
MOLLY BLOOM: Katie's showing us why keyboards have the keys to all of our hearts. Amira, what stood out to you about Katie's argument?
AMIRA: I like that she ended it with the glockenspiel winning.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS] Definitely. Any facts about keyboards that will stick with you?
AMIRA: Probably that, like with the keys, they can make different noises whatever you program into it.
MOLLY BLOOM: Totally. All right, Sam, it is time for your rebuttal. Tell us why keyboards don't strike a chord. You've got 30 seconds. And your time starts now.
SAM BERGMAN: Well, listen, I also love a glockenspiel. Who doesn't? But Katie's argument sounded like, you don't have an instrument there. You've got a full-blown identity crisis. You have no idea what instrument you want to play. And so you've just decided to pick up a computer that can sound like any of them as soon as your mood changes.
And frankly, I don't know what you have against learning to play something and do it well. I mean, if you decided to become a great cook, would you learn to chop vegetables and put things together in a great recipe? Or would you throw a frozen dinner in the microwave?
MOLLY BLOOM: And-- time?
KATIE DRAHOS: First of all, what do you have against people with identity crises?
[LAUGHTER]
That's my first question. I think there's room for us all here. Let's be for real. And sometimes, you just want a little bit of everything.
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm-hmm. All right. Amira, it is time to award some points. Please give one point to the Declaration of Greatness that you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that won you over. You get to decide what makes a winning argument.
Did one team's jokes make you giggle? Was another team's logic impeccable? Award your points, but don't tell us who they're going to. It's completely subjective and completely up to you.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Have you made your decision?
AMIRA: I have.
[DINGS]
MOLLY BLOOM: Excellent. Katie and Sam, how are you two feeling so far?
KATIE DRAHOS: I feel great, per usual. But, yeah, I feel really good. I feel like my arguments are strong. I feel like the other team's arguments aren't that great.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
KATIE DRAHOS: I'm feeling good.
MOLLY BLOOM: Sam?
SAM BERGMAN: I'm feeling all right. I felt good about my argument. I will admit I'm a little nervous about the fact that I did not think to include a pro wrestling match in my Declaration of Greatness.
MOLLY BLOOM: Yes. Well, maybe you'll find a way to sneak that in later. It is time for a quick break. Adjust your bridge and wipe down your keys.
AMIRA: And we'll be right back with more Smash Boom Best.
PRESENTER: You're listening to State of Debate, home to rage and rhetoric and awe-inspiring argumentation.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: Hello, debatiacs. This is Taylor Lincoln here with my flower friend.
TODD DOUGLAS: Todd Douglas. We're standing in my garden waiting for my tulips to bloom.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: I just wish they'd put the pedal to the metal and bloom already.
TODD DOUGLAS: This reminds me of a real stinker of a logical fallacy I heard the other day.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: Those are unbelievably bad arguments that don't stand up to scrutiny.
TODD DOUGLAS: And this one was the hasty generalization fallacy. That's when you make a bold statement about a group or phenomenon without evidence to back it up. Here, let's listen.
JERRY: Ah! Is there anything better than a perfectly maintained garden, Tony?
[BUZZING]
TONY: I don't think there is, Jerry. As a matter of-- ah!
JERRY: What's wrong?
TONY: There's a bee in your rose bushes! Bees gobble up all the nectar flowers have to offer. Your garden is going to shrivel up in a few days.
JERRY: What? Where'd you get that idea?
TONY: Bees need nectar. It's how they make honey. If we don't stop this infestation, they'll drain your flowers to death!
[BUZZER]
TAYLOR LINCOLN: Ooh, wow. It sure sounds like Tony has a problem with bees.
TODD DOUGLAS: I'll say. But he didn't have any evidence to back up his claim. Sure, bees drink nectar from flowers, but that doesn't hurt the flower.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: Yeah. Bees actually pollinate flowers, which helps plants survive.
TODD DOUGLAS: Oh my gosh. Taylor, look, the flowers are blooming! Quick, take a picture.
TAYLOR LINCOLN: We'll see you next time on--
TAYLOR AND TODD: State of Debate!
[MUSIC PLAYING]
NARRATOR: Brains On! Universe is a family of podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Smash Boom Best, you'll love the other shows in our universe. Come on, let's explore.
COMPUTER: It's alien laundry day. While I wash my nose mufflers and tummy togas, I'll listen to a new podcast. [GIGGLES] How about--
[KEYPAD CLACKING]
[BUZZER]
Forever Ago? My favorite history podcast.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
SPEAKER 1: Whoa. I was not expecting that to work. Or for it to sound this good.
JOY DOLO: That's the DJ Dolo technique.
ANNOUNCER: DJ Dolo!
JOY DOLO: (RAPPING) When I say pizza, you say bagel
Pizza
SPEAKER 1: Bagel--
COMPUTER: Zorp. Signal down! Aah! Stay right there, Tummy Togas. Must find Forever Ago now!
SPEAKER 2: Listen to Forever Ago wherever you get your podcasts.
SPEAKER 3: Best.
MOLLY BLOOM: Smash. Smash.
SPEAKER 3: Best.
MOLLY BLOOM: You're listening to Smash Boom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom.
AMIRA: And I'm your judge, Amira.
MOLLY BLOOM: And we love getting debate suggestions from our listeners. Take a listen to this potato-based debate idea from Ezra.
EZRA: My debate idea is French fries versus potato chips.
AMIRA: Can anyone hear my stomach rumbling?
MOLLY BLOOM: Or mine? We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Ezra thinks should win.
AMIRA: And now, it's back to our debate-- viola versus keyboard.
MOLLY BLOOM: That's right. And it's time for round 2-- the Micro Round. Today's Micro Round challenge is-- Twinkle, Twinkle, I'm a star. I'm going to ask each of you to play "Twinkle, Twinkle," that famous song, in three different styles. We'll go back and forth.
You don't have to play the whole song as much as you'd like. Debaters, are you ready?
KATIE DRAHOS: Yes.
SAM BERGMAN: Oh yeah.
MOLLY BLOOM: So, Katie, you're up first. Let's hear you do "Twinkle, Twinkle" in the style of jazz.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Lovely. I was swinging to that. All right, Sam, let's hear you do "Twinkle, Twinkle" in the style of country Western.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Twangy. I like it. OK, Katie, let's hear you do it in the style of dance music.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Wow, I was grooving, I was bopping, I was dancing in my chair. All right, Sam, let's take it down a notch, and let's hear a lullaby version.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Mm. So relaxing. All right, Katie, your last genre for "Twinkle, Twinkle" is Broadway musical.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
Yes, jazz hands. Jazz hands. All right, Sam. And finally, avant-garde classical music.
SAM BERGMAN: Mm. All right. Everyone with me, please imagine that I am wearing a black turtleneck--
[MOLLY AND KATIE LAUGHING]
--and that I look very bored.
["TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Cutting edge. Oh my gosh, that was the future right there. Incredible.
SAM BERGMAN: Let's hope not.
[ALL LAUGHING]
MOLLY BLOOM: I enjoyed all of those renditions very much. So, Amira, tell me, what stood out to you there about those beautiful versions of "Twinkle, Twinkle?"
AMIRA: I think the keyboards version of the Broadway musical was very good. It reminded me of some kind of small town music number.
MOLLY BLOOM: Totally.
AMIRA: I liked the country one for viola. It just felt very country to me.
MOLLY BLOOM: Totally. They were both so good. But I'm sorry to say, Amira, you can only award one point for this round. The criteria are totally subjective and totally up to you. Did someone really capture the genres? Did someone make you dance? Did someone relax you? Did someone give you a vision of what they were going for?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Have you awarded your point?
AMIRA: Yes, I have.
[DINGS]
MOLLY BLOOM: Fantastic. And it's time for our third round, the super stealthy--
SPEAKER 4: Ah-hah! Hoo-hah!
MOLLY BLOOM: Sneak Attack. This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot. Today's Sneak Attack is called Instrument Charades. How expressive can your instrument be?
We're going to give you three challenges, and we want you to make your instrument embody that thing. Debaters, does this make sense? Are you ready?
KATIE DRAHOS: I'm so ready.
SAM BERGMAN: Absolutely.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right. Sam, you are up first this time. So please make your instrument sound like it's laughing.
SAM BERGMAN: Ooh.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Nice.
KATIE DRAHOS: Nice.
MOLLY BLOOM: Nice. Little giggle there. All right, Katie, same challenge. Let's hear your keyboard sound like it's laughing.
KATIE DRAHOS: Hmm. That is an interesting one.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm. Yeah. [LAUGHS]
Very nice. OK. Katie, you're going to go first on this next one. Please make your instruments sound like it's crying.
KATIE DRAHOS: Ooh.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, man. Brought tears to my eyes. Sam, same challenge. Please make your viola sound like it's crying.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Oh, Viola, buddy, it's going to be OK! OK, very good. Sam, we're going to have you go first on this next challenge. Please make your instrument sound like a robot.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Yes, I felt it. Angular. Metallic. Roboty. All right. Katie, same challenge. Please make your keyboard sound like a robot.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
SAM BERGMAN: I would just like to point out that Katie's instrument is a robot.
KATIE DRAHOS: [LAUGHS]
MOLLY BLOOM: Fair.
SAM BERGMAN: And so I don't know about the fairness of that last one. I feel like mine should get to sound like a viola if she's going to get to sound like a robot.
MOLLY BLOOM: Yes, please make your sound like a hollow body piece of wood.
SAM BERGMAN: Yeah. Yeah, let's hear that.
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah, I could do that. I could do that.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right. Anyhow, it's all up to Amira to take into consideration. Here is our final challenge. Katie, please make your instrument sound like the animal of your choosing.
KATIE DRAHOS: Oh, OK. Frog.
[KEYBOARD PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Ribbit. Love it. All right.
SAM BERGMAN: Was that a robot frog? Because--
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS] Maybe.
KATIE DRAHOS: Robot frogs are animals, too.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
SAM BERGMAN: Mm. That feels like another episode.
[LAUGHTER]
MOLLY BLOOM: All right, Sam, last one. Let's hear your viola sound like any animal you like.
SAM BERGMAN: We're going to go with a cow.
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm.
[VIOLA PLAYING]
Oh, my gosh, I can smell the cow. That was so realistic. Well done. Amira, those were some excellent impersonations, but only one side is going to get a point. So please, Amira, think about which side impressed you the most and award your fourth point. Again, the criteria are totally subjective. Did someone really nail it? Did someone impress you with their quick thinking?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Have you made your decision?
AMIRA: I have.
[DINGS]
MOLLY BLOOM: Perfect. Then it's time for our final round-- the Final Six. In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side. Katie, let's hear six words that give kudos to keyboards.
KATIE DRAHOS: Accessible, fun, everyone can play forever! Yay!
MOLLY BLOOM: Excellent. All right, Sam, it is your turn. Give us six words on why violas should be victorious.
SAM BERGMAN: A triumph of the human spirit.
MOLLY BLOOM: Mm. I see what you did there. OK, Amira, it is time to award a final point for this Final Six.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Have you made your decision?
AMIRA: Yes.
[DINGS]
MOLLY BLOOM: [GASPS] All right, add up those points. Are you ready to crown one team the Smash Boom Best?
AMIRA: I am.
MOLLY BLOOM: All right. Drum roll, please. And the winner is--
AMIRA: Viola!
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: Ooh!
SAM BERGMAN: Woo-hoo!
MOLLY BLOOM: My goodness.
KATIE DRAHOS: Wow.
SAM BERGMAN: Yeah.
MOLLY BLOOM: Amira, was there a moment that decided it for you? What was your favorite part?
AMIRA: It really came down to the Final Six. It was tied before that.
MOLLY BLOOM: [GASPS] As close as close can be.
AMIRA: Also, the cow, when he impersonated a cow.
[LAUGHTER]
KATIE DRAHOS: That cow was pretty good.
AMIRA: Yeah.
MOLLY BLOOM: Pretty, pretty good.
SAM BERGMAN: Well, listen, it is always a pleasure to be in any room with Katie Drahos. She's an incredible musician. And one of the best things about being a musician is getting to look and sound and feel cool while you're doing what you do. And there is just no musician I know cooler than Katie. I'm in awe, truly.
KATIE DRAHOS: Aw.
MOLLY BLOOM: That's really sweet.
KATIE DRAHOS: That's really sweet. Well, Sam, it's also ditto, honestly. But Sam is such a prolific and amazing musician and being able to even collaborate in the space is so much fun. And I got to learn so many new things about the viola. Maybe I will have more of an appreciation after leaving this session--
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
KATIE DRAHOS: --even though I do still love robots a lot. But no, Sam is incredible, and I just loved being able to spend time with him.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MOLLY BLOOM: And that is it for today's debate battle. Amira crowned violas the Smash Boom Best. But what about you?
AMIRA: Head to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who you think won.
MOLLY BLOOM: Smash Boom Best is brought to you by Brains On and APM Studios. It's produced by me, Molly Bloom.
ANNA WEGGEL: Anna Weggel.
MOLLY BLOOM: And--
ARON WOLDESLASSIE: Aron Woldeslassie.
MOLLY BLOOM: We had engineering help from Derek Ramirez, Dan [? Cahill, ?] and [? Chris ?] [? Isaac, ?] with sound design by Rachel Brees and Anna Weggel. Our editors are--
SHAHLA FARZAN: Shahla Farzan.
MOLLY BLOOM: --and--
SANDEN TOTTEN: Sanden Totten.
MOLLY BLOOM: --with fact-checking by Ruby Guthrie. And we had production help from the rest of the Brains On Universe team--
ROSE DUPONT: Rose Dupont.
ANNA GOLDFIELD: Anna Goldfield.
NICO GONZALES WISLER: Nico Gonzalez Wisler.
LAUREN HUMPERT: Lauren Humpert.
JESS MILLER: Jess Miller.
JOSHUA RAY: Joshua Ray.
MARC SANCHEZ: Marc Sanchez.
MOLLY BLOOM: --and--
CHARLOTTE TRAVER: Charlotte Traver.
MOLLY BLOOM: Our executive producer is Beth Pearlman, and the APM Studios executives in charge are Chandra Kavati and Joanne Griffith. Our announcer is Marley Feuerwerker-Otto. And we want to give a special thanks to Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman.
Sam, is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to today?
SAM BERGMAN: I'd like to shout out the Apple Hill String Quartet who helped me record the music you heard in my Declaration of Greatness. That's Elise Kuder, Jesse MacDonald, Mike Kelley, and Jacob MacKay.
And also, I'd like to shout out the Minnesota Orchestra viola section where I played for 25 years.
MOLLY BLOOM: Wonderful. And how about you, Katie? Any special shout outs?
KATIE DRAHOS: Yeah, I want to shout out my bands-- Butter Boys, Ghost Kitchen, and High Tiny Hairs, which you can catch around town all of the time. And then my cutie husband, David Drahos.
MOLLY BLOOM: Very nice. And how about you, Amira? Any special thanks or shout outs?
AMIRA: I want to thank my family, my friend Ashlyn, and all the people who have let me come on this podcast and just given me the opportunity to be here.
MOLLY BLOOM: You did a great job. Before we go, let's check in and see who Ezra thinks should win the French fries versus potato chips debate.
EZRA: I think potato chips would win big as they are more delicious than French fries. But French fries are delicious, too. Bye!
MOLLY BLOOM: Can't argue with that. Smash Boom Best is a non-profit public radio program. If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knock down, drag out debate, head to smashboom.org/contact and drop us a line.
And make sure to subscribe to Brains On universe on YouTube where you can watch animated versions of some of your favorite episodes. We'll be back with a new Smash Boom Best debate battle next week. Bye-bye.
KATIE DRAHOS: See ya.
SAM BERGMAN: Later!
AMIRA: After a while, crocodile.
[THEME MUSIC]
Ooh, you're the Smash Boom Best
Ooh, put you through the test
Ooh, you're the Smash Boom Best
Ooh, better than the rest
It's Smash Boom Best
You're Smash Boom Best
SAM BERGMAN: Can I just tune real quick so it doesn't sound terrible? Thanks.
MOLLY BLOOM: Yes, please.
SAM BERGMAN: Not something I have to do.
MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS]
SAM BERGMAN: All right.
Transcription services provided by 3Play Media.
