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Rare musical instruments

1189 votes

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  1. 1

    Chapman Stick

    553 votes
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    260

    It combines elements of the guitar and bass

    (+2)

    The Chapman Stick is a unique electric instrument that merges the functions of a guitar and bass, offering a distinctive and uncommon musical experience.

    • It expands the technical and expressive possibilities

    • It is performed using the tapping technique with both hands

  2. 2

    Didgeridoo

    268 votes
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    126

    Believed to be the world

    (+4)

    The didgeridoo is an Australian Aboriginal wind instrument, traditionally made from eucalyptus wood hollowed out by termites. Its rarity outside of Australia lies in its cultural significance and the circular breathing technique required to play it continuously.

    • oldest wind instrument

    • Developed by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia

    • In use around the world

    • Originated in northern Australia

  3. 3

    Hang drum

    28 votes
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    13

    It produces soft, melodic sounds

    (+4)

    The Hang drum, also known as the handpan, is a percussion instrument played with the hands that emits resonant and melodic sounds, perfect for genres such as yoga and experimental music.

    • Widely used in yoga, relaxation and experimental music

    • It has a sound reminiscent of a harp, gong, or harmonic tones.

    • Percussion instrument with an enveloping and relaxing sound

    • Designed to generate soft melodies

  4. 4

    Aeolian Harp

    21 votes

    Played entirely by the wind

    (+4)

    The Aeolian harp is a musical instrument that produces sound thanks to the wind passing through its strings. Its rarity lies in the fact that its sound is unpredictable and depends on weather conditions, making it more of an experimental than a practical instrument.

    • Needs no human touch to make sound

    • Produces an eerie, exotic, and unique sound

    • Creates a haunting, ageless sound

    • Soothing sounds for meditation and relaxation

  5. 5

    Theremin

    21 votes

    Electronic musical instrument

    (+3)

    The theremin is one of the rarest musical instruments because it is played without physical contact, controlling the sound through electromagnetic fields. This gives it a unique and mysterious sound, perfect for ambient music and special effects.

    • Controlled without physical contact

    • Fascinating instrument

    • Unique tool

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  7. 6

    Hydrocrystalophone

    21 votes

    It produces a great sound.

    (+3)

    The hydrocrystalophone, another name for the glass harmonica, is an unusual musical instrument that uses the vibration of glass containers to create its distinctive sound, fitting perfectly into the category of rare instruments.

    • Unusual instrument from the 18th century

    • Rare

    • It produces sounds through water

  8. 7

    Hurdy-Gurdy

    21 votes
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    10

    Traditional rubbed string musical instrument

    (+2)

    The Hurdy-Gurdy is a unique stringed instrument that uses a crank-turned wheel to produce sound, rather than a bow, setting it apart from more common string instruments. Its complex mechanism and distinctive sound make it a rarity in the world of music.

    • Widespread in European popular music

    • It produces sound through a string mechanism.

  9. 8

    Yaybahar

    21 votes

    Unique way of producing sound

    (+3)

    The Yaybahar is a unique, acoustic musical instrument that creates unusual organic and resonant sounds through its innovative design featuring membranes and springs. Its ability to produce a wide range of mysterious and ethereal tones sets it apart from traditional instruments, justifying its place on a list of rare musical instruments.

    • It combines elements of musical instruments

    • Completely acoustic, no electricity.

    • It is both percussion and string.

  10. 9

    Array Mbira

    21 votes

    Unique sound similar to that of a harp or bell

    (+3)

    The Array Mbira is a modern and unique musical instrument, with a deep and resonant sound that resembles a harp or bell, making it stand out among rare instruments.

    • Modern handmade instrument

    • Unique version of a traditional African instrument

    • Widely used in musical productions and soundtracks

  11. 10

    Hang / Handpan

    19 votes

    Magic sound

    (+1)

    The Hang/Handpan is a rare metal percussion instrument, created in Switzerland in the early 21st century, that produces soft melodic sounds ideal for relaxation and experimental music.

    • Modern evolution of traditional percussion instruments

  12. 11

    Hydraulic jack

    19 votes

    Designed to be played underwater

    (+3)

    The hydraulophone is a unique and unusual musical instrument that produces sound through water, similar to an underwater organ or flute. Its innovative design allows it to be played both underwater and on the surface, offering a distinct sensory experience.

    • It works with water.

    • Unique and rare instrument

    • It produces sounds through water and hydraulics.

  13. 12

    Hang

    17 votes

    Hand-crafted instrument

    (+3)

    The Hang is a relatively new melodic percussion instrument with a soft, resonant sound reminiscent of a steelpan but with a more mystical tone. Its rarity lies in its unique design and the difficulty of its manufacture, making it a highly sought-after instrument.

    • Invented in 2000

    • Features a central note and other tones

    • Played with hands and fingers

  14. 13

    Bowl organ

    17 votes

    Sound similar to a bell

    (+3)

    The bowl organ, also known as the glass harmonica, is an idiophone instrument that uses glass cups mounted on a rotating shaft to produce music, making it a noteworthy musical rarity.

    • Easy to play for beginners

    • Used in holistic sound meditation

    • Traditional musical instrument from India

  15. 14

    Zeusófono

    17 votes

    It produces musical notes by modulating the sparks

    (+1)

    The Zeusophone, also known as the musical Tesla coil, is a unique instrument that produces sound through controlled electric arcs, offering a distinctive auditory and visual experience.

    • It's a plasma speaker

  16. 15

    Crystal Harmonica

    15 votes

    Unique tool

    (+2)

    The crystal harmonica is a rare instrument that produces sound by rubbing tuned crystal glasses together. Its rarity stems from the instrument's fragility and the difficulty of finding artisans who can build and tune it correctly.

    • Features a rotating spindle of quartz bowls

    • Produces ethereal tones

  17. 16

    Saucepan

    15 votes

    It is tuned to a chromatic scale

    (+3)

    The steelpan is a metal percussion instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago, which inspired the creation of the Hang and the handpan, and is characterized by its bright and rhythmic sound.

    • It has a unique sound

    • Easy to play

    • It offers a vibrant sound, full of warmth and Caribbean rhythms

  18. 17

    Sarangi

    15 votes

    Principal bowed instrument of India

    (+3)

    The Sarangi is a bowed string instrument from India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, known for its melancholic sound and its use in the classical music of North India and Pakistan. Its unique construction and central role in traditional music make it a rare and important instrument.

    • Sound similar to the human voice

    • Beautiful hand-carved traditional Indian stringed musical instrument

    • It has three main strings of different thicknesses that produce different volumes.

  19. 18

    Daxophone

    15 votes

    It produces curious sounds

    (+1)

    The daxophone is an experimental musical instrument invented by Hans Reichel, known for its comical sound and unique design that makes it stand out among rare instruments.

    • experimental musical instrument

  20. 19

    October

    15 votes

    It produces very low-pitched musical sounds.

    (+2)

    The octobass is a bowed string instrument of monumental proportions, reaching almost four meters in height and requiring a complex system of levers and pedals to play due to its three thick strings. Its range is an octave lower than the double bass, producing the lowest musical sounds audible to humans, making it a sonic rarity.

    • It is one of the rarest instruments in the world

    • It has a system of levers and pedals for tuning the strings

  21. 20

    Martenot Waves

    13 votes

    Ghostly sound

    (+2)

    The Ondes Martenot is a unique electronic instrument invented in 1928, known for its ethereal and ghostly sound that has captivated artists such as Radiohead. Its innovative design and early adoption of electronic technology make it a fascinating addition to the category of rare musical instruments.

    • It can replace sections of a symphony orchestra

    • Considered a primitive synthesizer

  22. 21

    Subcontrabass flute

    13 votes

    It is the largest of the transverse flute family.

    (+1)

    The subcontrabass flute is the largest member of the flute family, reaching over 15 feet in length, making it a rare musical instrument notable for its extreme size and deep sound.

    • Tuned to C, three octaves below the concert flute.

  23. 22

    Arpa laser

    13 votes

    Replace the ropes with laser beams

    (+2)

    The laser harp is an electronic musical instrument that replaces traditional strings with beams of light, offering a unique sonic and visual experience. Its innovative design and playing method make it a fascinating addition to the category of rare musical instruments.

    • It produces a hypnotic visual impact

    • Electronic musical instrument

  24. 23

    Cupping Harp

    11 votes

    It produces a unique ring when you rub your fingers over glass cups.

    (+3)

    The glass harp is a unique and fascinating musical instrument that uses water-filled glass cups to produce melodies. Its ability to perform both classical and original repertoire makes it stand out as a rare and intriguing option in music.

    • Melodic idiophone musical instrument

    • It allows you to play and learn with sound and vibration

    • Gluck composed for this instrument

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