Spongebob's famous line proven after 25 years

“Is mayonnaise also a musical instrument?”

This question, asked by Patrick Star in the popular animation ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ in 1999, has been scientifically proven 25 years later. A research team from Northumbria University in the UK conducted a study commissioned by Hellman's and concluded that mayonnaise meets the scientific definition of a musical instrument.

The research team led by Dr. Rachel Durkin, head of the Department of Global Music Technology, evaluated mayonnaise according to the standards of 'Organology', the study that defines musical instruments. Studies have shown that mayonnaise meets the requirements of a musical instrument when used to intentionally create or manipulate sound.

Why mayonnaise is a musical instrument

The research team applied the 'Hornbostel-Sachs classification', a standard system for classifying musical instruments worldwide. This classification method classifies instruments according to how they make sounds.

What's interesting is that mayonnaise shows different properties depending on how it is used. They produce different sounds when used in glass bottles, tube containers, or without containers, which can result in them falling into different classification categories.

“Music has always evolved through experimentation,” Dr. Durkin explained. “When you look at the core principles by which instruments create sound, you realize that the possibilities of non-traditional materials are endless.” He added, "Exploring things like mayonnaise isn't just fun; it's an invitation to challenge our assumptions and think much more creatively about what music can be."

According to the research team, mayonnaise's acoustic properties come from its emulsion composition, producing a consistent and measurable sound. Additionally, physically interacting with mayonnaise changes its state, and this two-way relationship between object and sound is considered a key feature of the instrument.

In conclusion, the key is intention and context. When mayonnaise is used intentionally in a musical context through actions such as squeezing, scraping, or pouring, mayonnaise transitions from food to musical instrument.

Music actually made with mayonnaise

To prove the results of this study, Hellmans collaborated with music creator Andy Arthur Smith to produce a track consisting solely of mayonnaise sounds. The song, titled ‘Mayonnaise Is an Instrument’, is currently available on streaming services.

"It's been amazing to see people actually making music out of mayonnaise and turning it into real tracks," said Smith. "It doesn't seem like it would work, but somehow it does. We're bringing a new texture to the music."

The research team noted that mayonnaise joins a long list of non-traditional ingredients used in music history. Representative examples include John Cage's prepared piano technique and the 'Vegetable Orchestra', which makes musical instruments from fresh vegetables. Northumbria University's full research report will be published soon.