“The strangest instrument of all is the human voice — it can be the most beautiful and the most terrifying thing on earth.” — Björk
The world of musical instruments is vast and diverse, with many unique and unusual instruments being developed and played throughout history. These weird instruments often push the boundaries of what we consider to be music, and can create truly otherworldly sounds that capture the imagination.
In this article, we will explore 10 of the weirdest instruments from around the world, discussing their history, how they are played, and the music that they can produce. From electronic instruments played without physical contact, to hand saws played with a violin bow, these instruments are sure to surprise and delight. So without further ado, let’s dive into the world of weird musical instruments.
1) Waterphone
- The Waterphone is a percussion instrument that is made of a stainless steel resonator rod with a cylindrical bore and brass tines. It is played by bowing, striking, or plucking the tines to produce a range of metallic, watery, and otherworldly sounds. The Waterphone was invented in the 1960s by Richard Waters, who was inspired by African and Asian instruments such as the mbira and the kalimba.
- The Waterphone has a unique and distinctive sound that has been used in a variety of musical contexts, including classical, experimental, and film scores. It has been played by musicians such as Edward Van Halen and Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips, and has been featured in the soundtracks of films such as “The Matrix” and “Poltergeist.”
2) Kazoo
- The Kazoo is a simple membranophone instrument that is played by humming or singing into it. It consists of a hollow cylinder with a flexible membrane stretched over one end, and is played by buzzing the lips into the membrane to produce a buzzing sound. The Kazoo is a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-play instrument that has a wide range of applications in music and entertainment.
- The Kazoo has a distinctive, buzzing sound that has been used in a variety of musical contexts, including folk, pop, and novelty music. It has been played by musicians such as Bob Dylan and The White Stripes, and has been featured in the soundtracks of films such as “The Muppets” and “Pitch Perfect.”
3) Theremin
- The Theremin is an early electronic musical instrument that was invented in 1920 by Russian inventor Leon Theremin. It is played without physical contact, using two antennae to control the pitch and volume of the sound. The player moves their hands in the proximity of the antennae to control the pitch and volume of the sound, which is produced by electronic oscillators and amplifiers.
- The Theremin has a unique ethereal sound that has been used in a variety of musical contexts, including classical, electronic, and popular music. It has been played by musicians such as Clara Rockmore and Robert Moog, and has been featured in the soundtracks of films such as “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and “The Spellbound Symphony.”
4) Ondes Martenot
- The Ondes Martenot is an early electronic musical instrument that was invented in 1928 by Maurice Martenot. It is a keyboard instrument that produces sound through the use of electronic oscillators and amplifiers. The Ondes Martenot is played by pressing keys on a keyboard, which are connected to a series of levers and springs that control the pitch and timbre of the sound. It also has a ribbon controller, which allows the player to glide continuously through the pitches, and a ring that can be worn on the finger to control the timbre of the sound.
- The Ondes Martenot has a unique ethereal sound that has been used in a variety of musical contexts. It has been used by composers including Olivier Messiaen and Edgar Varèse, and has been featured in the soundtracks of films such as “The Man with the Golden Arm” and “The Red Balloon.”
5) Stylophone
- The Stylophone is a portable miniature analog synthesizer that is played by touching its metal keyboard with a stylus. It was invented in 1967 by Brian Jarvis and was initially marketed as a children’s toy. The Stylophone has a simple design, with a keyboard that consists of a series of metal strips that are connected to an oscillator circuit. When the stylus touches a metal strip, it completes a circuit and produces a sound. The Stylophone also has a built-in speaker and a volume control.
- The Stylophone has a unique retro sound that has been used in a variety of musical contexts. It has been played by musicians such as David Bowie and Kraftwerk, and has been featured in the soundtracks of films such as “Doctor Who” and “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”
6) Musical Saw
- The Musical Saw, also known as the “Singing Saw” is a hand saw that is played as a musical instrument. It is played by holding the handle with one hand and playing the blade with a violin bow in the other hand. The Musical Saw is a versatile instrument that can produce a wide range of tones, from soft and ethereal to metallic and percussive, depending on how it is played. It is often played with a vibrato technique, where the player moves the bow back and forth across the blade to create a warbling effect.
- The Musical Saw has a unique and distinctive sound that has been used in a variety of musical contexts, including folk, pop, and experimental music. It has been played by musicians such as Andrew Bird and St. Vincent, and has been featured in the soundtracks of films such as “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “The Prestige.”
7) Didgeridoo
- The Didgeridoo is a wind instrument that is traditionally made and played by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia. It is made from a hollow tree branch or trunk, and is typically between 1.5 and 3 meters long. The Didgeridoo is played by blowing into one end of the instrument while simultaneously vibrating the lips and tongue to create a distinctive drone sound. It is often played in a circular breathing technique, where the player inhales through the nose while simultaneously exhaling through the mouth into the instrument.
- The Didgeridoo has a rich cultural history and is an important part of Indigenous Australian music and culture. It has a unique earthy sound that has been used in a variety of musical contexts, including traditional and contemporary Indigenous music, as well as in Western popular and experimental music
8) Electric Sitar
- The Electric Sitar is a sitar that is modified to be played with an electric guitar amplifier. The sitar is a traditional Indian stringed instrument that is played with a plectrum (pick) and has a distinctive sound and appearance, with a long neck and a series of drone strings that produce a continuous humming sound. The Electric Sitar was developed in the 1960s as a way to amplify the sitar and make it more accessible to Western audiences. It has a similar appearance to a traditional sitar, but has pickups and electronics similar to an electric guitar, allowing it to be plugged into an amplifier and played with a pick or fingers.
- The Electric Sitar has been used in a variety of musical styles, including rock, jazz, and fusion. It has been played by musicians such as George Harrison of The Beatles and Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead. The Electric Sitar has a unique Eastern-influenced sound that has helped to popularize the sitar and introduce it to a wider audience.
9) Glass Harmonica
- The Glass Harmonica is a musical instrument that is played by rubbing the wet rims of glasses or bowls with the fingers. It was invented by Benjamin Franklin in the mid-18th century and is also known as the “Armonica,” “Harmonika,” or “Hydrocrystalophone.” The Glass Harmonica consists of a series of graduated glasses or bowls that are mounted on a spindle, with the sizes of the glasses determining the pitches. The player dips their fingers in water and rubs the rim of the glass to produce a clear, ethereal sound.
- The Glass Harmonica was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, and was played by musicians including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. It fell out of favor in the late 19th century, but has experienced a resurgence in recent years. The instrument is often used to play classical music, but has also been used in a variety of other musical genres.
10) Hang
- The Hang is a musical instrument that was invented in 2000 by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer of PANArt in Bern, Switzerland. It is a steel handpan with a convex shape and a central dome, and is played by striking the dome and the rim with the hands and fingers. The Hang has a unique and distinctive sound that is often described as a blend of percussion, steelpan, and gong.
- The Hang is played in a variety of musical contexts, including world music, ambient, and experimental music. It has been played by musicians such as David Kuckhermann and Manu Delago, and has been featured in the soundtracks of films such as “Avatar” and “Inception.”
Conclusion
- In conclusion, the world of musical instruments is a vast and diverse landscape, full of unique and unusual instruments that have been developed and played throughout history. From the electronic Theremin, to the hand saw-playing Musical Saw, these weird instruments push the boundaries of what we consider to be music and can create truly otherworldly sounds that capture the imagination. These instruments, such as the Hang and the Waterphone, showcase the creativity and diversity of the human musical experience, and demonstrate the endless potential for innovation and experimentation in the world of music.
- The Ondes Martenot and the Electric Sitar represent the merging of different cultural and musical traditions, showing how music can bring people together and inspire new sounds and styles. The Stylophone and the Kazoo, on the other hand, demonstrate the accessibility and simplicity of music, proving that anyone can make music with a little creativity and the right tools.
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