In many of the YouTube videos linked above, the title of the vid, as chosen by that vid’s producer, includes the words “Benny Hill” but not “Yakety Sax”.
The implication is that the tune is now irretrievably linked to Benny Hill in the popular mind just as the 1812 overture is (was?) linked to the Lone Ranger. Which says the question of “Yakety Sax is / is not inherently funny.” we’re going to be hard-pressed to untangle which is cause and which is effect.
Unrelated to the above, I friend happened to send me this link that’s semi on-point for this thread:
I didn’t search further to see if those profs had any accessible research published beyond this not quite listicle.
Nitpick: the theme tune of The Lone Ranger is an extract from Rossini’s William Tell Overture. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture is a rather different piece .
While we are on the subject of the William Tell Overture it’s important to remember that its use in The Lone Ranger didn’t change its intended theme; which is heroes (whether the Swiss army or the Lone Ranger and Tonto) racing to the rescue. The same isn’t the case for “Yakety Sax” unless someone can find an association with madcap chases before Benny Hill used it. That leaves mood, which I think the title plainly implies to be wacky or funny.
@saucywench: Between this and the llamas, you are hereby appointed the official YouTube tour guide of the SDMB. Or at least the LSLGuy division thereof.
I am not remotely musical so apologies if this is obvious, is Yakety Sax a challanging piece to play well for a competent player? Is it something that if you can play well it admits you to the hall of fame?
I am a musician but not a wind player (or guitarist) - I’d estimate it’s not a particularly tough piece to learn on the saxophone. Of course, like nearly all music, the faster you want to attempt it the harder it gets. I’d say at the ‘normal’ speed it’s something that a competent player (i.e. has been learning for a few years) could master without undue effort. Now, to pick it on a guitar like Glen Campbell in the link in post 16 above - I’d say that’s closer to hall of fame skill level.
Someone mentioned “Entry of the Gladiators,” the most famous of the Circus March “screamers” and how it was originally a military march…
I got to thinking of Strauss’ Radetzky March, which was written to celebrate Radetzky’s military triumphs. To me, it isn’t “serious” but it light and whimsical, almost a “circus march,” and far from anything really military. It isn’t quite “funny,” but it’s light and gay and flip and a bit goofy.
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