What Is This? A Collection of Rare and Unique Musical Instruments from Around the World
It goes without saying, but there are countless musical instruments in the world.
Even just in Japan, there are more than you can count on both hands.
It really makes you think, “What a wide world it is.”
In this article, I’d like to introduce a bunch of rare and unique instruments you don’t often get to see.
If you’re thinking about taking up music as a hobby, this might be the perfect chance to try an instrument you’ve never seen before.
It’s also recommended for gadget lovers!
[What is this?] A roundup of rare and unique instruments from around the world (1–10)
Marble machine
A marble machine is a toy that rolls marbles along a spiral belt.
Many of you may have played with one when you were little.
This marble machine makes a high, rattling sound as the marbles roll, and instruments that apply this principle have been created in large numbers and are gaining attention.
The one especially buzzing on YouTube is the Wintergatan Marble Machine made by Martin Molin.
It reportedly uses as many as 2,000 marbles!
American Photo Player
One of the strangest-looking instruments in the world is the American Photoplayer.
It was made in the 1920s and used to play music to accompany silent films.
In other words, it served the role of what we’d now call a cinema orchestra.
Visually, it resembles a piano, but if you pull the cords on the top, it can produce sounds like drums—even gunshots.
Today, most American Photoplayers have been discarded, and very few are thought to survive.
nyckelharpa
The nyckelharpa is one of Sweden’s traditional folk instruments.
Its character is similar to the cello, but it differs in that you press the strings using attached keys.
In fact, it’s an instrument with many enthusiasts, and every April there’s an event called World Nyckelharpa Day.
It’s an online gathering where fans from around the globe play music together.
Everyone performs in their own style, which makes it really interesting.
Once you’re able to play the nyckelharpa, be sure to join in!
serpent
If you like recorders or ocarinas, I recommend the serpent.
This instrument is black and sinuous, but it’s played using the same principle as the recorder.
Its name, “serpent,” comes from French, inspired by its snake-like appearance.
Traditionally, the serpent is made of wood and covered with animal leather to achieve that look.
Isn’t it kind of stylish? By the way, the serpent is also known for being used in the movie Alien.
waterphone
The waterphone is an instrument that uses sympathetic resonance and is classified as an idiophone.
Simply put, it produces eerie tones by rubbing its attached metal rods.
Thanks to that sound, it’s been featured in famous films like Poltergeist and Alien.
The waterphone’s timbre is also said to resemble whale calls, and there are even reports that it has been used to actually communicate with whales.
While playing melodies on it may be challenging, if you’re interested, be sure to check it out.
wheel harp
If you’ve ever wished string instruments were easier to play, the wheel harp makes that dream come true.
As its name suggests, it’s a circular harp that looks a lot like a drum.
However, when you operate the keyboard around its rim, the body rotates and produces the tones of a string instrument.
You can also make fine pitch adjustments by pressing the damper pedal at your feet.
Incidentally, the underlying mechanism of this instrument is said to have been designed by none other than Leonardo da Vinci.
It’s still available for purchase today, so why not give it a try?
Kantele
The kantele is a traditional instrument of the peoples of Sweden, said to have a history of over 2,000 years.
Older ones were made of wood, and sound was produced by plucking horsehair stretched across a hollow body.
Today’s commercially available kanteles are made of metal and use wire strings, making them easy to maintain.
Kanteles are generally divided into small kanteles and concert kanteles.
As the name suggests, the small kantele is more compact than the concert kantele and is more affordable, so it’s recommended for beginners to start with that one!