How many musical instruments do you know? There are many instruments that you have probably never heard of! There are unique and wonderful instruments that not everyone has seen.
Many people will use a saw to cut wood. Did you know it can be used to make music too? The saw goes between your legs. It is played with a bow. The musician starts by bending the saw. Depending on the width of the saw, a different sound will be made. The saw can make beautiful sounds.
The theremin looks more like a robot! The coolest part about the theremin is that the musician never touches it! The musician changes the pitch by moving a hand back and forth at shoulder height. The other hand controls the volume. The theremin has been used in many science fiction movies. Some people think it sounds eerie.
Have you seen a one-man-band? It is a solo performance. A single musician plays several different instruments. They often sing too. The musicians have to use their lips, hands, and feet at the same time. They might play the drums, the guitar, the harmonica, and the keyboard all at once.
Have you seen a glass harmonica? Unlike a harmonica, we do not play it by humming into it. The glass harmonica makes sounds by using friction. To play this, a musician first has to dip his or her finger into water.
Have you ever tried making music with a drinking glass? The glass harmonica works the same way. It has rotating glass bowls. This is controlled by a foot pedal. The musicians rub the glass bowls with their fingers. The glass harmonica has different widths to control what sound each part makes.
Look at this! No, it isn't for your soup. Spoons can be an instrument too. They can be a percussion instrument. You play them by hitting the spoons against each other. These spoons can be made out of wood or metal.
The lithophone is another percussion instrument. It is believed to be one of the oldest instruments. It is made out of stone slabs. You play it by hitting the stone slabs with mallets.
You may have been told to not play with your food. But vegetables can be used to make music too. The Vegetable Orchestra uses fresh vegetables to make drums and flutes. Have you played a pumpkin drum? Or a celery guitar? First, you need to hollow out the vegetable. Then, you need to drill in some holes. Finally, you need to carve out a mouthpiece.
Did you ever want to play a duet, but couldn't find a partner? Armin Küpper found a way to play a duet by himself. He played a duet using his own echo. Armin Küpper played his instrument into a long and hollow pipe. And his musical notes came right back!
Which unique instrument do you want to try?