Thai Elephant Orchestra

[GaragebandandBeyond]

Now if only they could train those elephants to upload HD quality videos....

[hyperbuoy]

@GaragebandandBeyond touché, GarageBandandBeyond... I pulled this video from the internet in like 1999 when the net was a barren wasteland of gifs and quicktime videos were a treasure to behold. Sorry about the low quality. I'll bring my Canon 5d MkII next time I go to Thailand.

[IlGattonero13]

As I understand it, the elephants at this conservation center are not forced to make music or paint. The ones that do, do so voluntarily, although they do take direction from their manhouts. They are for the most part rescued animals and are treated quite well.

[bArT8472]

2:05 - fck this, they're not paying me enough, I'm going home.

[aparchitecture]

Pink Floyd à Pompeï c'était mieux

[lorrie1956]

I love "smart and " TRAINED" NOT!

[SharedJoy]

It’s a cruel way to earn money.

These people should be put in force labor.

So they know how the elephants feel during the training.

For tourists, please don't watch and spend your money for this show.

By doing so, you support the cruelty of these people do against the elephants.

[Axgoodofdunemaul]

@SharedJoy Right on! It's obvious the elephants don't understand what they're being made to do. I'd rather see them happy being elephants, and not being forced to go through motions for tourists. On the other hand, Thailand needs income to support their population of elephants. I'd be willing to pay a tourist tax or contribute to that some other way -- if I were sure it were really for elephants.

[JolynnConley8]

more talented than justin bieber.

[Kairukchat]

I LOVE THAILAND.

I LOVE THAI ELEPHANTS.

WISH TO SEE MORE MUSIC FROM THAI ELEPHANTS.

THANKS TO"hyperbuoy" FOR SHARING VIDEO.

[djquintos]

i don't like it.

leave the smart trained elephant enjoy what they want.without they must do for humans

[A2roxie42]

as far as tugging on the elephants ear, it's not because he's trying to make the elephant play, it's because he's trying to guide him to play in a different part of the instrument. tugging on the elephant's ear isn't going to hurt him.

[lunkhead57]

It's really amazing to see that they actually have rythmn

[18Ruankaew]

Do you see, what I see??? This is a very easy look to prove of Thailand is the land of smile & kindliness. Take a close look; Even our Thai's elephants stil have music in there soul. I want to cry.♥♥

[ROTZGOERE11]

@18Ruankaew I can feel what you mean. When I see this peaceful scene with this strange nice sounds made by these elephants I see peace and calm. We say that we should leave the animals in their natural environment without human influence. But isnt it nice? The elephants besides the human. The elephants experience the sweet inspiration of making music by their own.

[ROTZGOERE11]

@18Ruankaew They seem to have joy and they never would experience that in their wild nature. And we shall be inspired by the elephants. Inspired of their calm, peace and joy in theirs life.

[lostfan1978]

@im86,i had not really noticed that,thanks for pointing it out.May i add,i would prefer seeing these animals in the wild living out their natural lives without any human intervention except protection of their way of living.We still have much to learn about elephants.

[lostfan1978]

beautiful! these are the types of zoos\rescues i like.they do not impose the human desire to control\ train these animals in a cruel and un-natural way for shows like in a circus.they educate and re-direct the animals behaviour in a positive and mentaly stimulating way also they give the animals a chance to express themselvs.i wish more zoos\rescues would do this.i love the art they do,its so wild and colorful!

[IM863]

@lostfan1978 I dunno, I don't like the way the guy has to tug its ear in order to get it to play. Doesn't seem to be enjoying it.

[11Argetlam11]

Die Elefantnebilder unterscheiden sich kaum von Menschlichen.

[oliviom]

i think this is awful. elephants are not made to play music for us, this is horrible...they are probably hurt if they don't learn it, thats what they do to them when they're taming them.

[ericbennetthosford]

actually this is at an elephant rescue where they save elephants. no, they are not hurt if they dont learn, the center would most like be shut down if that were the case.

[LeadBeIIy]

My music teacher used to hurt me when I didn't learn it perfectly.

But yea, while the elephant is obviously an animal humans haven't always been human towards, I think they look pretty happy painting and playing music.

And interestingly, they proved parrots are able to dance and keep a beat. It is the only animal well shown to do so, but elephants are on the list of possibles along with dolphins. No primates (besides humans) made the list.

[Prasopchai]

Great stuff =) Love the elephants

2:06 "Oh noes! I dropped ma stix!"

[njoyjill]

cute I love thai elephants.

[Maehximumpower]

sry, but that are indian elephants. Some of them are just living in thailand.

[saxophones]

its funny that some people study for degrees to play like that

its all down in the dirt raw feelings

us humans aint got that groove anymore

[saxophones]

true soul kings

[OwenJ1971]

I would like to hear them do a Moog album...

[timmytickles]

Thai Elephant Orchestra is one of my favorite albums!

[framed0000]

Are they being trained to play certain patterns or anything like that by rote? I remember when they touted the horse that could do math, but it was just the trainer indicating to the horse when to start and stop tapping his hoof.

At any rate, that is really beautiful. Their ability to play in a steady rhythm (i'll never learn to spell that word) is remarkable. When i make my billions, i will buy an island and keep these animals to relax me for my afternoon nap

[Wormeatingdragon]

Maybe we could dress that elephant up in a nice suit and let him run the Country... I think it would be a great improvement.

[lotterydreams]

Made my way here from good news international. Aren't they clever? I'd love to know what elephants would have developed if they were able to manipulate objects more easily. With their big ears and ability to hear really deep notes it would be fun to see what they like listening to the best - the elephant pop charts!