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!
- A roundup of recommended instruments to start fresh: instruments I’d love adults to take up as a hobby
- Summary of ethnic musical instruments originating in Africa
- What does the word “repezen” used by rappers mean?
- Masterpieces of Celtic music. Recommended Irish music.
- Challenge percussion! A collection of songs I want to play on the cajón
- [World Music] A Guide to Folk Music: A Collection of Traditional Songs from Around the Globe
- List of Okinawan instruments: Folk instruments of Ryukyuan music
- Harmonica masterpieces: world-class performances you should hear at least once
- Masterpieces for flute. Recommended pieces where the flute shines.
- [Ska Punk / Ska Core] A Roundup of Japanese Ska Bands
- Songs with cool trumpet. Introducing famous pieces from wind ensemble and jazz.
- The Allure of the Keyboard: A Collection of Piano Vocaloid Songs
- [Accordion] Stylish and Unforgettable Once You Hear Them: Famous Songs from Around the World
[What is this?] A collection of rare and unique musical instruments from around the world (11–20)
armonica (glass harmonica)
The armonica, which produces fantastical, beautiful tones like a glass harp, was developed by Benjamin Franklin, who was active as both a politician and a physicist and whose portrait appears on U.S.
currency.
This distinctive-looking instrument is played by arranging bowl-shaped glass components of different sizes on a rod in order of size and rotating them.
As with the glass harp, the performer wets their fingers and touches the bowls to play.
Its beautiful timbre is said to be the “voice of angels,” and both Mozart and Beethoven used it in their own compositions.
Otamatone
The Otamatone is a cute and unique electronic instrument shaped like a musical note! It was created by Maywa Denki, who produce artworks, music, and stage performances.
By pressing the part called the note’s “tail,” you can play from low to high notes.
There are many ways to perform with it, such as simple push playing by just pressing, portamento by sliding your finger to connect notes, and a wah technique by opening and closing the mouth to change the sound.
Try out different methods and have fun! It’s also recommended as a toy for children.
electronic wadaiko
The deep, resonant sound of taiko drums that you can feel in your body is incredibly cool, but practicing at home is tough because they’re so loud.
However, with this electronic taiko, you don’t have to worry about that! Developed by the renowned instrument maker Roland, it stays quiet no matter how hard you hit it, and if you use headphones, you can practice without disturbing your family.
Another feature is that a single unit can reproduce a wide range of drum sounds—from the booming nagadō-daiko to the sharp shime-daiko.
You might wonder about sound quality with an electronic instrument, but it delivers impact that’s every bit as impressive as a real taiko! It’s also easy to carry, making it the perfect first step into the world of taiko.
sitar
The sitar produces a one-of-a-kind string sound that evokes vivid images of the Silk Road.
With a body and neck strung with strings, it may resemble a guitar in appearance, but its timbre is completely different.
Originating in northern India, the sitar appears in both folk and popular music there.
It has also been used frequently by artists such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, as well as in Japanese music.
One distinctive feature is that the part corresponding to a guitar’s body is made from the fruit of the calabash (bottle gourd), known as yuugao, which is also used for hyotan and kanpyo.
It has seven playing strings and a dozen or so sympathetic strings, creating a mysterious sound that seems to invite listeners into another world.
ocean drum
This instrument that looks like a tambourine is called an ocean drum.
Like a tambourine, you can play it by striking the large surface—the head—but you can also move the beads or sand inside to create the sound of waves.
If you keep the movement of the beads or sand in mind as you strike the head, you can enjoy a variety of tones.
Because the soothing, rushing sound of the waves can be calming to listeners, it’s also used in music therapy.
It’s an instrument that can be enjoyed by everyone from small children to the elderly.
Udu drum
The udu drum has a vase-like shape, so if it were placed in a room you might not even realize it’s a musical instrument.
Originating with Nigeria’s Igbo people, it’s traditionally made of clay like an ordinary pot, and some are also made from ceramics.
In addition to the mouth—where a pot would normally hold flowers or water—the instrument has a hole on its side.
It’s played by striking the side hole and the areas without holes.
The open areas produce relatively low tones, while the solid areas produce fairly high tones.
Using these contrasts creates a distinctive rhythmic sound.
In conclusion
I’ve introduced a bunch of instruments that you hardly ever find even if you go to a music shop.
Some of them might have been so puzzling that you couldn’t figure out how they work.
It’s a deep and fascinating world.
Surprisingly, some of these can be pretty easy to buy online! Be sure to check out any instruments that caught your interest.