The Cobra Game

The Cobra Game, invented by avant-garde saxophonist John Zorn, is a game of musical improv in which a bandleader coordinates (or disrupts) the improvisational process through a system of hand gestures and signal cards.  You can see an example of this here. 

Let's play Cobra ourselves.  I will start as bandleader, but others are free to take over at just about any time unless it gets out of hand.



I hold up a sign marked Q, wave it over my head three times, and then slowly and quite delicately replace it on the table. 

Annoyed at Shakespeare's self-indulgent actions, I pick up my music stand and hurl it like a javelin in his general direction before screaming at the top of my lungs.

In the last throes of vitality my corpse complains that it wishes to be referred to in a non-gender specified manner and then slowly deceases.

That's ok, it wasn't actually laplace, it was bizarro laplace. 

And....."G <"!

I tear my sheet music, and am delighted to discover that it makes an annoying and high pitched shredding sound. I continue to do this, but upon realizing that I have nothing left to play, I begin to weep uncontrollably.

I sit back down in my chair instantly and await instruction, completely oblivious to the fact that I haven't eaten a decent meal in eight days.

I hold up "DB" and ensure that all performers are able to see it.  I twirl it a little bit, point at Dylan, then at Josh with two fingers, and, with a flick of my wrist, return it to the table.  

A valkyrie arrives to usher my soul to Valhalla, stopping only to unfurl an ancient parchment bearing a lowercase L and nod at you all meaningfully.

I quickly regain consciousness and begin to play an emotive classical piece on my bassoon, and appear very happy that all manner of insects are becoming attracted to the mixture covering my body.

I love that song!  And I would love for you to keep humming it, but alas my muse directs me differently.  Sadly, I order you to stop and command you to follow Dylan's lead.

Also, I dedicate this piece to bizarro laplace.  We must carry on in its absence.  It's what it would have wanted.