A place to share musical oddities.
Be nice. All instance rules apply.
The octobass is an imposing bowed string instrument designed to produce extremely low-pitched sounds that are unattainable for other instruments in its family
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28400774
Created in the 19th century by the French luthier Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, this colossal double bass stands out for its impressive height, exceeding three meters, and its deep tonal range, capable of producing notes that approach the lower limits of human hearing.
Due to its enormous size, the octobass cannot be played like a conventional double bass; instead, the musician must use a system of pedals and levers to press the strings and modulate the sound. Although its use has been limited throughout musical history, some orchestras and composers have explored its potential to add a unique and resonant depth to certain symphonic compositions.
This rare instrument, which was a true feat of lutherie in its time, continues to fascinate classical music enthusiasts and organologists, remaining a remarkable achievement in musical engineering.
Southeast Asian Jaw Harp
This is a 口弦 (kǒu xián or south-east Asian jaw harp) of the 傈僳族 (Lìsù Zú or Lisu People) of 云南 (Yúnnán). This particular one is a functional instrument, but gussied up for decorative/tourist purposes with a colourfully painted bamboo shell, colourful woven pouch (in this case just stuffed with batt...
Daxophone: Hans Reichel - Bubu And His Friends
Definitely the weirdest sounding instrument I've ever heard.
Here is a video where you see how it works: Daxophone Demonstration 2: Desktop Daxophone
Bianqing
Technically this doesn't really count as an obscure instrument where I live, but I suspect there are very few people outside of here who know it. These are stone chimes that date back to "scary-antiquity" times (at least 2500 years and likely more). The set being played is a reproduction of the set found in the tomb of the Marquis Yi of Zeng currently sitting on display in the Hubei Provincial Museum.
As is usual when describing some of the odder musical instruments here, I use the "it's like … but" formulation.
It's like a xylophone, but arranged sideways, and also suspended on wires or thin ropes (depending on which era), oh, yeah, and the sounding plates are made of stone.
The Thingamajig™
Two mbiras, a diddlybow, and whatever you call a motor slapping your strings.
The world's only MIDI-controlled, propane-powered explosion organ!
The Large Hot Pipe Organ is the world's only MIDI controlled, propane powered explosion organ. The LHPO's pyro-acoustic explodo-rhythmations will throbbatize...
This was peak Internet back in the day.
Shovel and gravel, diddlybow
Instance PeerTube généraliste, une bonne alternative à YouTube et autres plateformes de streaming contrôlées par des géants du WEB. General PeerTube instance, a good alternative to YouTube and other streaming platforms controlled by WEB giants.
Honorable mention to the improvised percussion.
Harmonitrees
"I know a place where no cars go."
TIL about this 19-foot grand piano with the longest bass strings in the world – and it sounds huge
A beast of a piano, twice the length of a concert hall Steinway – and just listen to its incredible, deep sound.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25237727
