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Music

0ffworld's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZmxLja-DRIw?feature=oembed

Now I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that this is just one big meme. But if you're willing to hear (he-he) me out for a second, you'll find that, even though this is a strange sound, performing an entire song (Including that part - you'll know when you get to it.) with this... thing... takes more than just commitment to the joke.

In case you haven't seen or heard an Otomatone before, let Wikipedia describe it for you:

The Otamatone [...] is an electronic musical synthesizer. Shaped like an eighth note, the ribbon controller on its stem is used to control pitch, while the notes produced by the synthesizer are played from the Otamatone's "head". It was developed in Japan by the CUBE Works toy company [...]

You can find many Otomatone videos on YouTube. But only a small number of them reach a level of dedication, coordination, skill, and creativity that can culminate in recreations of iconic songs that, even though you're still thinking "This is the weirdest instrument I've ever seen!" will have you at least respect the hustle.

It's also really funny. 🤣🎶

ENDERS's avatar

Years ago, I was researching world music and discovered a few fascinating Oriental instruments that really captured my attention. This research, along with these personal discoveries, led me to create a number of synthesizer patches that emulated some of them. I eventually composed a song centered around the use of the Koto, Sanshin and the Sheng.

While the Sheng isn’t exactly "obscure," it is quite rare in my area to see one or hear music created with it. In reality, it’s a very traditional, ancient instrument that I feel doesn’t often make an appearance to modern audiences.

One of those videos is burned into my mind; the image of this woman performing with a Sheng is something I'll never forget seeing for the first time. It took me a while to track the video down, but it was worth it. The enthusiasm and emotion conveyed by the woman playing the Sheng was instantly unforgettable, almost like a rock star playing a guitar in front of a lively audience.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_iR-KrbeFs0?feature=oembed


As I said before I created a few synthesized versions of some of these instruments and used them in a few songs. this is one of them. Check it out! ;)

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/2CmWaaGE2WObkZ4b79uVNk?utm_source=oembed

M

My favourite is the bagpipe in AC/DCs "It's a long way to the Top":

https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-qkY2yj4_A?feature=oembed

Although the bagpipe is a valid instrument it's not one you'd normally associate with the rock genre.

Lanah Tyra's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/aBt4zT_PBmw?feature=oembed

I present you Masayoshi Soken, composer of Final Fantasy XIV and the otamatone.

It's a very funny sounding and looking little instrument, which I haven't known existed until I've seen this performance at the FanFest. We love it when the developers present us with some form of meme on these events, but no one expected this, and by the look on her face, Keiko the pianist didn't expect it either. Whenever players go to the zone which has this theme music, you will most likely see a message in chat someone quoting "Do you know la hee?" Tells a lot about the game's community how everyone embraced this silly performance in the middle of a beautiful piano setlist.

Braulio M Lara 🔹's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/_aY6TxC1ojA?feature=oembed

🔴 THE YAYBAHAR 🔴

Is a curious instrument half Cord half Drums make somes electronic alike sounds without using electricity everything is mechanical activated by the player

that is one and many instruments in one perfect for a ONE MEN ORCHESTRA but without the easy movement just for studio

Invented by Görkem Şen This instrument is very curious and something truly original and worth hearing.

Let’s participate it 💪🏼

CMDR Henckes's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/jNmLVWAzm0U?feature=oembed

This is for me the best performance of Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, where they play a lot of cuts from songs of famous movies, most of them with just the Steel Pan instrument, and it is impressive how a pan can be that sweet in sound and be able to be used in different songs!

See that orchestra so synced up with the great maestro leading all the songs is a marvel to my ears!

FEBRIAN_574H's avatar

It's looks like a guitar but "Sape Dayak" it's different, its produces a distinctive sound from Kalimantan (Borneo) and this musician play perform with avenged song. It's really amazed me

https://www.youtube.com/embed/chTQQUGAa6w?feature=oembed

J
https://www.youtube.com/embed/tZ7aYQtIldg?feature=oembed

I’ve always admired ‘Stomp’ and their ability to use obscure or household objects, along with their perfomative talents, to create entire shows and live performances! This was a no brainer for me, sheer talent!

GoJapan's avatar

I did not know of this instrument, I recently discovered him, his music reminds me of the scene of the fantasy films with great deserted valleys, with dark sky, who pre-announced an arrival storm. Fantastic!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/WhadzpELMPk?feature=oembed

projectazone's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/foSJstDFDfg?feature=oembed

I love percussions and this is an instrument between percussions and violin. Its name is Waterphone and it has a very particular shape composed of a metal disk and tubes. It can be played either with a bow on the tubes or on the lower part with hands or other instruments. It has a strident sound and also a little disturbing if we want to say so... but at the same time it recalls, at least in the echo, the classic Tibetan sounds. It can be from a horror movie but also very relaxing.

Horror and Cats's avatar

I have an obsession with handpan drum performances, but this one of Metallica's Nothing Else Matters is perfection. It shows just how much can be done with it in the hands of a skilled player, combining rhythm and lead flawlessly. The fact she can also sing while playing is icing on an already quite robust cake.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/32v8ARqaBas?feature=oembed

JHenckes's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ix-QW-BShPY?feature=oembed

For me, the xylophone is an incredible instrument. After I heard it for the first time and found it curious, I went to find out how the instrument worked. It makes sounds by vibrating the wood, which makes different sounds because of its size.

The instrument surprised me and won me over because of its musical style. It has a light sound style, reminiscent of classical music and functional in theater performances. And the great thing about it is that before you hear it you imagine that a beat instrument emits strong, bass sounds, which it doesn't, and it's a pleasant surprise.

That's why I've put together a video that I think demonstrates the instrument's difficulty as well as its beauty!

TheHermit's avatar

Two words: Hurdy. Gurdy. I first heard this instrument while playing Sea of Thieves on Xbox. It's basically a rotary violin. This guy is playing in all sorts of ways that it wasn't designed for, though. Thought it was neat that someone picked up such an old instrument and did something new with it.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/AdCU75EMqh4?feature=oembed

M
https://www.youtube.com/embed/jM8dCGIm6yc?feature=oembed

Mongolian throat singing hard rock? Mongolian throat singing hard rock!!

The Hu blends the traditional mongolian instruments and singing style with modern rock to achieve what they call “Hunnu Rock.”

L

One of the most awesome modern instruments: the laser harp of Jean Michel Jarre (from min. 3:48).

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fiw2KlGf3hA?feature=oembed

A key artist in the electronic /instrumental music in the XX century (and some of his new ceeations are good, too). Known for his huge concerts, this is one of his best compositions. I would love to see the reaction of the people when he played this instrument for the first time.

Gaypengwing 🔜 Ren Faire Uk's avatar

I’m submitting a performance of taiko drumming that I got to be a part of at a Christmas lights switch on back in college, it was such a cool experience to me to learn to play and perform an instrument that I otherwise hadn’t even heard of prior. It’s my favourite because looking back at this experience makes me very nostalgic about performing

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TPWnPeuMyE4?feature=oembed

CelestialFlea's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/sAD7oFR9n5c?feature=oembed

This is an easy one for me, probably my favorite obscure instrument is a Harpejji. Basically if a guitar and a keyboard had a baby, this would be the result. I guess It's somewhat similar to a lapsteel guitar but has more strings and is played vertically but has a completely different sound. I've not seen very many people playing these (they're also made to order and as far as I know, only made by one company) but they sound beautiful, and there's a few different versions offering different sounds.

I'm not sure if YouTube has changed the audio of this or not, as it sounds slightly out of tune here to what I remember like it's been transposed up. There's other examples on his channel though for those interested in the different models.

MQC's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/IvUU8joBb1Q?feature=oembed

I think creators like this, and videos like this, show that human ingenuity in creating music is practically limitless.

What I love most is the creator's ability to make something incredibly original, incredibly eye-catching, yet still incredibly beautiful.

Merlinux74's avatar
https://www.youtube.com/embed/VcyWjV4bMWU?feature=oembed

I think the instrument that releases that aura of darkness is the Theremin. It reminds me a bit of classic Star Trek noises but it also has something creepy about it.

Sturmer's avatar

My favorite obscure instrument is the rain stick - a rare percussion instrument often used for meditation or atmospheric sound effects. You won’t find many solo performances outside these contexts, as it’s more of a support instrument than a lead. There are dozens of videos on how to make one, some on how to use it, and almost none on its performance.

I own one myself and use it for sampling and relaxation. Both playing and listening to it have a soothing, almost hypnotic effect.

This video showcases different shapes, sizes, and fillings

https://www.youtube.com/embed/CTtJApuHCCI?feature=oembed


Here’s a performance featuring the rain stick in action

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ku-pVGiW_fQ?feature=oembed

Ahnsyaraa's avatar

Angklung is a traditional musical instrument from Indonesia made from both traditional bamboo and metal with different tones. they have been used in live music but have also been featured in many films.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/nlwpWF3uT6c?feature=oembed

A
https://www.youtube.com/embed/4rgSzQwe5DQ?feature=oembed

when I heard this I felt very calm and the instrumentation was also very good

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