5 Musical Instruments You've Never Heard Of Before
What instruments do you associate classical music with? Violin, cello, piano? Beyond the instruments you know and notice frequently, you may have heard some fascinating and haunting sounds on more occasions than you realize, but you didn’t know exactly what to associate them with. Until now.
The following instruments, though rare, have played a significant role in the development of the genre, adding unique tones, textures, and emotions that cannot be reproduced by conventional means.
Glass harmonica
Invented by none other than Benjamin Franklin in 1761, the glass harmonica is an instrument that produces ethereal, otherworldly sounds. The instrument consists of a series of glass bowls or cups of different sizes mounted on a spindle. The musician plays it by touching the edges of the rotating glass bowls with moistened fingers, which produces tones similar to the sound made by rubbing a wet finger against the rim of a wine glass.
Glass harmonicas were favored by composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Mozart composed his “Adagio in C for Glass Harmonica, K. 356” especially for the instrument. The instrument’s haunting tones made it a perfect choice for pieces that seek to evoke a sense of mystery or melancholy.
Fun fact: In the past, it was believed that the glass harmonica drove both players and listeners crazy with its eerie, piercing sound. This myth, though unfounded, contributes to the mystique of the instrument.
The Thermin
The theremin is one of the oldest electronic instruments, invented by Russian physicist Léon Theremin in 1920. What makes the theremin unique is that it is played without physical contact. The musician controls the pitch and volume by moving his or her hands near two metal antennas – one for pitch and one for volume.
Although the theremin is often associated with science-fiction soundtracks, it has also found a place in classical music. Composers such as Edgard Varèse and Bohuslav Martinů have written for the theremin, using its eerie sound to explore new musical frontiers. Clara Rockmore, one of the instrument’s earliest performers, also played many classical pieces on the theremin, demonstrating its range and expressive potential.
Fun fact: The theremin’s unique sound is often used to portray the supernatural in movies and television, contributing to its reputation as an “otherworldly” instrument.
Ondes Martenot
Invented by Maurice Martenot in 1928, the Ondes Martenot is another early electronic instrument known for its tremulous, rattling sound. It works by varying the oscillation frequency of vacuum tubes, which the performer controls with a keyboard and a ribbon that slides to change pitch.
The Ondes Martenot was adopted by composers such as Olivier Messiaen, who used it in his Turangalîla-Symphonie, and Arthur Honegger. The instrument’s ability to produce glissandos and microtones gives it a distinctive expression in the orchestral landscape.
Fun fact: Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood popularized the Ondes Martenot in contemporary music, using it in pieces such as “How to Disappear Completely”.
Waterphone
The waterphone, invented by Richard Waters in the late 1960s, is an acoustic instrument that produces strange, resonant sounds, often described as ‘otherworldly’ or ‘unearthly’. It consists of a stainless steel resonator bowl with brass rods of varying lengths and a small amount of water inside, which the performer manipulates by bowing or tapping.
Although not traditionally used in classical compositions, the waterphone has gained a place in contemporary music and film music, especially in the horror and suspense genres. Its unique sound is also used in experimental classical works by composers who want to evoke a disturbing or mysterious atmosphere.
Fun fact: The waterphone’s sound is often associated with the cries of whales and other aquatic life, making it a favorite instrument for underwater or marine-themed compositions.
The serpent
As its name suggests, the serpent is a snake-shaped wind instrument invented in the late 16th century. It is technically a member of the brass family, although it is made of wood and covered with leather. The serpent was originally used to accompany church music, providing a bass line that supported vocal harmonies.
The snake was used in classical works by composers such as Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Although it has largely fallen out of use in modern orchestras, it is sometimes revived for performances of historical music or in contemporary compositions seeking a unique timbre.
Fun fact: Despite its name and appearance, the sound of the serpent is more like that of a tuba or bassoon, though it has a more subdued, more lilting, more lilting quality.
How many of the instruments we’ve presented have you heard of so far?
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Akordaj is a platform created in the framework of the Spotlight on Music project, through the Erasmus+ program, funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed, however, are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the ANPCDEFP. Neither the European Union nor the ANPCDEFP can be held responsible for them.
