One of a bunch of pretty cool instruments decorated by the folks at Free People.
Unusual Musical Instruments
From the unique to the just plain weird, there are many ways people share their musical visions
Cuatro
When the Spanish colonized many islands in the caribbean, they brought many parts of their culture, specifically music. The popular spanish guitar was taken and turned into many different forms. One of these forms is the Cuatro.
The 10 string Cuatro is the national instrument of Puerto Rico, and represents the culture and music of the country.
Each island in the Caribbean has its own guitar-like instrument, specific to its country.
(Source: metmuseum.org)
Steel Pan / Steel Drums
The Steel Pan is a chromatically tuned drum originating from Trinidad.
When Africans were taken from their homeland around 16th century and sent to work in French and Spanish plantations, they lost the link to their home African culture. Since they were separated from their families and not allowed to speak their own language, the only piece of their culture they could retain was music, specifically percussive music.
These people would use any instruments they could to drum. As time passed though, upper class people feared that the music would incite rebellion. Many of these instruments were banned. In response, the lower class Africans would find new instruments.
Around the 1930s, they began using various metal pans. After being beaten over a period of time, they began to develop pitches. Thus, the steel drum was created.
Note from submitter:
Not so much unusual as unique, it doesn’t get a lot of attention in the States but it really is unique (a bit biased as I play one though :D)
(Source: onu.edu)
Beautiful handmade teardrop violin. I love this style. Very pretty and well made.
Pochette
The pochette is a small violin meant to fit inside a pocket (hence the name pochette, french for small pocket). The instrument was commonly used by “Dancing Masters”; people payed by Scottish nobles and merchants to teach them how to dance and speak like Englishmen. This was soon after the union of the Scottish and British parliaments when such things were quite stylish.
While most originals are sitting around in fancy museums, many people have made replicas of the instrument, and you can see a person playing such a replica here.
(Source: finelystrung.com)
Dear All
It’s been a while, but do not worry! This blog is not dead. I’ve just been busy with many music things (such as playing accordion in the school musical, you know how things are).
For those who have reposted and supported this blog, thanks. I’m glad the whole universe shares my joys in strange instruments. It means a lot to me to know there are people out there paying attention to some silly 15 year old who likes to write about such things.
So welcome back to the new Unusual Musical Instruments. And if any of you have anything you’d like to hear about or any suggestions for me (I have no clue how to run a blog) then that would be quite lovely.
Power to music!
Professional Whistling
This is one of those things you have to hear to believe.
Me likey.
(Source: interestandclick)
For those who desire to listen to a conch shell more in depth, this strange little device helps you do so. Attached to the end of this shell is an ear trumpet, which is used to enhance the hearing abilities of the individual. Because just sticking your ear in isn’t quite enough.
(Source: phisick.com)
Hang
The Hang is a percussion instrument created and developed in Switzerland as a result of years of research by PANart. The instrument makes different pitches and sounds based on where you hit it, and it sounds like the mesh of a Carribean instrument with a Chinese gong.
(Source: oddmusic.com)
