Buzz
In middle school music classes, you’ll typically find standard instruments like the trumpet, flute, clarinet, and drums. Mastering one of these could lead you to discover an extraordinary instrument that might just captivate you. Here are eight unconventional musical instruments worth exploring.
1. Lituus
The medieval lituus was a specialized instrument featured in Bach's cantata O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht. Surprisingly, no modern musician had ever played or even seen one! The Swiss conservatory Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (SCB) collaborated with the University of Edinburgh to recreate the lituus, also known as Bach's horn. Using computer modeling, they designed the instrument based on historical descriptions of its sound, possible appearance, and the materials and technology available during Bach's era. Two replicas were crafted and performed in the Bach cantata in 2009. You can listen to the lituus in this video and explore its construction in detail.
2. Gajda
The Macedonian gajda is a traditional bagpipe crafted from goat or sheep skin. The animal's hide serves as the windbag, and sometimes, the instrument retains hooves or even the animal's head. Variations of this unique instrument can be found in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Experience the distinct sound of a gajda in these videos.
3. Tromboon
The tromboon is a quirky hybrid instrument that merges the reed and mouthpiece of a bassoon with the body of a trombone. The term has evolved into slang, describing a combination that blends the least desirable traits of two unrelated things. Coined by musician Peter Schickele
4. Shakulute
The shakulute is a fusion of the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute, and a Western silver flute. Unlike the side-blown silver flute, the shakuhachi is played by blowing into its end. To create a shakulute, a specialized head joint is added to a flute, allowing it to be played from the end as well. This innovative instrument was developed by Monty Levenson, a renowned shakuhachi maker. Hear the shakulute in action here.
5. Serpent
The serpent, also known as the contrabass anaconda, is a precursor to the modern tuba, dating back to 1590. Played by buzzing the lips like a trumpet or tuba, it produces notes by covering finger holes, similar to a flute. Explore images of serpent players and listen to its unique sound in this video.
6. Subcontrabass Flute
While flutes are typically associated with high pitches, there are larger, deeper-pitched variants. The subcontrabass flute plays a fourth lower than the contrabass flute. Its 15-foot pipe is folded to fit into an eight-foot case. A rare version, the Kotato double contrabass flute, boasts an 18-foot pipe, with only four in existence. Pictured are the contraflutes of the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra in Kylemore Abbey, featuring subcontrabass flutes at the rear. Listen to the subcontrabass flute in this video.
7. Igil
The igil is a traditional two-stringed instrument originating from the Tuva region of Siberia, located just north of Mongolia. Rare antique versions are crafted from a horse's skull, inspired by the legend that the igil was conceived after a dream featuring a horse. Often called a horse head fiddle, the igil is best experienced accompanying Tuvan throat singing in this video.
8. Otamatone
The otamatone is a modern electronic instrument shaped like a musical note with a playful cartoon face. Created by Novmichi Tosa of Maywa Denki, an art collective known for whimsical inventions, the otamatone is now available for everyone to enjoy. Listen to its charming sound in this video.
Bonus: Hosaphone
The hosaphone is a humorous instrument designed to parody enthusiasts and websites devoted to unusual musical creations. It consists of a tube with a funnel attached at one end. Discover its quirky sound here.
