A sonically controlled motor has a rotating shaft and an escapement selectively allowing or denying rotation there-of. An acoustic element cooperates with the escapement such that selective operation of the acoustic element selectively allows or denies rotation of, or controls the rotational speed of the shaft. A machine, such as a toy, having one or more moving elements may be controlled by the motor such that selective operation of the acoustic element selectively allows or denies movement of the machine. Alternation of the volume and/or frequency of the acoustic element may be used to alter the operation of the motor, or the motor may be operated according to the beat and qualities of music. The motor may be operated by remote control of the acoustic element.