Smash Boom Best: "Harmonica vs. Glockenspiel"

Podcast: Smash Boom Best (Brains On Universe)
Episode Air Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Molly Bloom
Debaters: Merk Nguyen (Team Glockenspiel), Aron Woldeslassi (Team Harmonica)
Judge: Vishal (Calgary, Alberta)

Episode Overview

This episode of Smash Boom Best brings a musical face-off: the tiny but mighty Harmonica squares off against the bright and beautiful Glockenspiel. Host Molly Bloom sets up the debate, promising a blend of humor, cool facts, passionate arguments, and friendly banter as the two quirky instruments duke it out for the title of smash boom best. The show encourages kids and families to learn about debate, have fun with facts, and see both the fun and substance in arguing different sides.

Key Discussion Points & Arguments

1. Declaration of Greatness

Team Harmonica – Aron Woldeslassi ([04:30])

• Portability: The harmonica is a "small reed instrument" that's easy to take anywhere. Aron dramatizes its usefulness through a timeout skit:
  • “I was put in time out for burping at my sister, and now I can play this.” (06:09)
• Versatility: Highlighted major genres (soul, rock, pop), mimics train sounds, and its many nicknames (“mouth organ,” “French harp,” “tin sandwich”).
• History: Descended from the ‘vowel organ’ invented in the 1700s, meant to imitate human speech.
• Cultural Reach: The harmonica was the first instrument played in space (Christmas Day, 1965).
• Accessibility: “Truly, the harmonica packs big fun in a little package.”

Team Glockenspiel – Merk Nguyen ([11:40])

• Word Play & Whimsy: Introduces the glockenspiel by referencing fun German words, declaring "glockenspiel" the best word of all.
• Sound & Simplicity: Easy to learn, accessible for kids, “a very forgiving instrument that gives kids confidence...”
  • “I didn’t really know what I was doing, but it still sounded good.” (14:11)
• Nostalgia & Emotion: Shares a personal story about reconnecting with the glockenspiel as an adult and how “it felt so good being reunited with my first musical love.”
• Star Power: Celebrates appearances in pop (Feist), rock (Bruce Springsteen), and classical music (Mozart’s "The Magic Flute").
• Distinct Sound: Instantly recognizable, brings “magical whimsy and charm” to any song.

2. Rebuttals

• Merk on Harmonica: Glockenspiels can also be small and portable, glockenspiel bars are like “24 metal candy bars.” Expresses confusion about the skit’s spaghetti fart jokes. ([10:06])
• Aron on Glockenspiel: Argues harmonicas have more nicknames (and thus more love), were even played in space versus glockenspiele, and notes Bruce Springsteen plays both instruments. ([17:10])

3. Micro Round: The Fact-Off ([22:33])

• Glockenspiel: Percussion family member that produces melody—rare for percussion. Home to famous tourist attractions (Munich’s town hall clock). Instantly recognizable sound.
• Harmonica: Beloved in Wild West lore (played by Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp). World record for 24-hour nonstop play. Ancient origins: descended from the 1100 BCE Chinese sheng.

Notable exchange:

• Merk: “I can't think of a single harmonica that's a tourist attraction. But glockenspiels…” ([23:34])
• Aron: “That’s really interesting, Marc… longest anyone has ever played the harmonica… 24 hours in a day.” ([24:04])
• Merk, querying: “So, like, going to the bathroom during those 24 hours…?” ([24:28])

4. Sneak Attack: Sloganeering ([27:23])

• Hosted by Molly as a fun, improvised challenge where contestants come up with slogans/jingles for their instruments:
  • Harmonica: “Harmonicas. Don’t forget to pack a tin sandwich.” ([27:54])
  • Glockenspiel: “Lock in to the glockenspiel no matter how you feel.” ([28:09])
  • Aron, playing harmonica: “The harmonica is a mouth organ. Be a donor.” ([28:37])
  • Merk, after a brief pause: “You can pallet with your mallets with the glockenspiel.” ([29:11])

5. Final Six ([29:51])

• Each debater must capture their argument in just six words:
  • Glockenspiel: “Multiplicitous metallic musical. Mm mm. Glockenspiel.” (Merk, [30:08])
  • Harmonica: “Guys, harmonicas will blow you away.” (Aron, [30:22])

Judge Vishal notes this last round is what finally swayed him in a very close debate.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Aron Woldeslassi: “Call me the Big Bad Wolf because I’m about to blow you away.” ([01:38])
• Molly Bloom: “Is that the sound of magic? The sound of delight, Of a wish coming true? Yes, and yes and yes.” ([13:00])
• Merk Nguyen: “Even if you mess up, like, it still sounds pretty. But like the harmonica, you could blow too loud and someone would be like, ow, my ears.” ([18:52])
• Aron: “Yeah, I like metal bars. I think, you know, we should put the glockenspiel behind some metal bars because it’s criminal how bad it is.” ([17:55])
• Vishal (Judge): “It was tied until the final six. No. It was back and forth until final six.” ([31:02])
• Merk (to Aron): “You brought so many facts… It's like it’s a really cool instrument. And again, my grandpa played that… it just makes me happy thinking of people bringing life to this instrument.” ([31:12])
• Aron (to Merk): “You made this instrument not just sound incredible, but feel incredible just to learn everything about it.” ([31:31])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------|------------| | Opening & Introductions | 00:07–04:07| | Declaration of Greatness – Harmonica | 04:13–09:33 | | Declaration of Greatness – Glockenspiel | 11:40–16:20 | | Rebuttals & Banter | 09:56–11:20, 16:57–18:16 | | Micro Round: Fact-Off | 22:33–26:27 | | Sneak Attack: Sloganeering | 27:23–29:17 | | Final Six | 29:51–30:28 | | Winner Announced | 30:46–31:02 | | Congratulatory Reflections | 31:06–31:52 |

Outcome

Winner: Glockenspiel

• Judge Vishal awarded the final, deciding point to Glockenspiel during the six-word summary, after an evenly matched debate.
• Decision rationale: “It was tied until the final six… as close as close can be.” ([31:02])

End Segment & Shout-Outs

• Both debaters celebrate mutual respect and share personal connections to their instruments.
• Shout-outs given: Aron to his mom, Merk to elementary music teachers, Vishal to parents and band teacher.

Overall Tone & Appeal

• The episode is zippy, clever, and family-friendly with plenty of puns (including “chime to do this” [04:00]), banter, and fast-paced facts.
• The show embraces debate as fun, silly, and educational, modeling constructive arguing and critical listening for families and kids.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed the episode or want to relive the highlights, this debate was a tightly contested celebration of two underappreciated musical instruments. With creative arguments, zany slogans, personal connections, and a delightfully decisive judge, "Harmonica vs. Glockenspiel" delivers both laughs and learning—whether you’re team bluesy pocket powerhouse or team shimmering symphonic sparkle.