Buzz
From ancient relics to modern innovations, any object capable of producing sound has likely been transformed into a musical instrument by someone, somewhere. These eight extraordinary instruments, though unfamiliar to most, showcase the creativity and diversity of musical expression across different eras and cultures.
1. Lithophone
A lithophone is essentially a musical instrument made of stone. Imagine a xylophone that Fred Flintstone might play, where striking stones of varying sizes produces distinct tones. The lithophone displayed at Questacon Centre in Canberra, Australia, invites visitors to try it out. Lithophones come in various forms, such as The Great Stalacpipe Organ in Luray Caverns. You can even listen to a lithophone performance on YouTube.
2. Udderbot
The udderbot is a unique musical instrument featuring a water-filled bladder, often a rubber glove, paired with a bottomless glass bottle as a mouthpiece. Created by Jacob Barton in 2005, this invention stemmed from his experiments with glass bottles, which produce varying pitches based on water levels. Barton's innovation allowed pitch adjustment by squeezing the glove to alter the water level in a single bottle, eliminating the need for multiple bottles. To play, one blows across the bottle's top while manipulating the glove. Check out an udderbot performance on YouTube or follow instructions to make your own.
3. Kazookeylele
The kazookeylele is a creative fusion of a ukulele, toy piano, and kazoo, designed by Stuart David Crout, a member of the Scottish ukulele duo Pocket Fox
4. Glass Armonica
Invented by Benjamin Franklin, the glass armonica was designed to replicate the enchanting sounds of wine glasses and other crystallophones without the hassle of tuning multiple glasses. The instrument consists of rotating glass discs of varying sizes, played by touching them with wet fingers. Debuted in 1762, it gained popularity in Europe but was eventually phased out as orchestras and venues grew larger, rendering its soft tones inaudible in bigger spaces. Also known as a glass harmonica or simply armonica, you can watch a glass armonica performance on YouTube.
5. Chapman Stick
The Chapman Stick, an electronic instrument created by jazz artist Emmett Chapman in the 1970s, features a stringed fretboard played by tapping with one or both hands. Its design eliminates the need for picking, as fretting directly produces the notes. Listen to a Chapman Stick performance on YouTube. Image by Flickr user SD Dirk.
6. Berimbau
Originating in Africa and popularized in Brazil, the berimbau is a musical bow measuring four to five feet long, with a gourd resonator at its base. Played by tapping the string with a stick, the pitch is adjusted using a stone pressed against the string. Experience the berimbau in this performance on YouTube. Image by Flickr user Alper Çuğun.
7. Jal Tarang
The Jal Tarang, often referred to as India's musical bowls, consists of a series of china bowls filled with varying amounts of water. Played by gently tapping the bowls with a wooden mallet, it produces melodic tones akin to a water-based xylophone. Listen to a Jal Tarang performance on YouTube.
8. Eigenharp
The Eigenharp, introduced to the public in 2009, is marketed as a versatile instrument combining the functions of a piano, guitar, and woodwind. Developed by John Lambert starting in 2001, it was designed to offer greater expressiveness than traditional electronic instruments and eliminate the need for multiple instruments at live performances. With pressure-sensitive keys, a breath pipe for sound modulation, and built-in effects, drum controls, and a programmable sequencer, the Eigenharp bridges the gap between classic and electronic instruments. Available in three models with varying features and prices, you can watch an Eigenharp trio perform on YouTube.
If your favorite unusual instrument isn't listed here, you might find it in posts like 8 Strange and Different Musical Instruments, Mother Nature's Music, You play a what?, or On Music: 5 Peculiar Instruments.
