Posts Tagged ‘Experimental Instruments’

Harry Partch’s Instruments

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Need inspiration for your next adventure in music carpentry? Here are some ideas from the innovative instrument creator and composer Harry Partch.

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Harry adapted instruments such as the Adapted Viola, a viola fitted with a cello neck and changeable bridges. However, he is more famous for his ‘made-from-scratch’ instruments.

zymo-xyl

Look at the Zymo-Xyl (left), this xylophone is made out of tuned liquor bottles and hubcaps. Click on the instrument links to play them yourself.

He also constructed a variety of Marimbas, including the Diamond Marimba, an 11 key Bass-Marimba and the Mazda Marimba, made out of Mazda light bulbs.

The most uniquely named instrument is the Spoils of War, which incorporates Cloud Chamber bowls, artillery shell casings, metal wang-guns and wooden tones into its design.

Check out all of his other cool instruments here.

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Guitars Not Worth Breaking

Monday, July 20th, 2009

skatar
As fun as it may be to smash a guitar after a show, these rare and unique guitars are certainly worth saving.

The

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, is a custom made bass and guitar made from a skateboard. We don’t have the specs on the Skatar, but we do know that it can still be ridden and that it must be played with a Hennessy Gin bottle.

harp guitarIf the Skatar isn’t quite your sound, how about a Harp Guitar? This 20-string instrument combines a regular 6-string fretted guitar with 14 other strings that are plucked like a harp.

The Trimeister is a combination of a guitar, mandolin and fiddle.

For the more spiritual musicians, check out the Imratgitar. This 20-stringer is a combination of a guitar and sitar.

Considering these are all custom instruments, good luck finding any of them at your local music shop. However, may they be of inspiration in your search for the perfect instrument.

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Ideas for Poor (Handymen) Musicians

Monday, June 15th, 2009
Instruments are expensive and buying a Slash-played Les Paul, will not bless you with his shredding abilities. Instead, take some time build some of your own cool instruments made from things you can find anywhere.

Take inspiration from the Car Music Project, this cello (right) made from an old gas tank is surely more versatile than the $30 you would make by taking your ’87 Ford Tempo to the junk yard.

If a violin is not readily available for your next rehearsal, it is completely possible to just make a new one from a violin case like this one built by experimental musician Iner Souster.

The chair you are currently sitting in? Yep, you could make a cello out of that too.

Finally, for those ultra-creative Tool Time addicts, a homemade instrument resembling the bikelophone might be the perfect addition for a live show.

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