By Justin Ryan

"... if you’re struck with writer’s block, just try to create a song around the weirdest instrument you can think of ..."

Can’t break away from your typical guitar and piano combination? Maybe it’s time to think outside the box, and I mean way outside the box. There are so many instruments out there that you may not have considered before - maybe that you haven’t even heard of. From the theremin to the kazoo, this article will look at how different artists have incorporated strange-sounding instruments into their music.

Theremin

This is one you may have heard of. It was invented by Leon Theremin in the 1920s and it is one of the earliest electronic instruments ever created. It works   through (usually two) antennas which sense the position of the performer’s hands (one for frequency and one for volume) and transmit this signal to a loudspeaker.

You’ll recognise the sound as a typical background to 60s/70s horror movies; it’s eerie and strange and hits the ear in a weird way.

Surprisingly, there are a lot of well-known artists that have used it.  For example, The Beach Boys use it in their song ‘Good Vibrations.’ It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking out for it, but once you’ve heard it, you’ll never not hear it. It first appears during the first pre-chorus with the lines ‘I’m picking up good vibrations / She’s giving me excitations.’ It’s hard to imagine the Theremin in a successful pop song, but this song most likely wouldn’t sound the same without it.

Have a listen to The Beach Boys - 'Good Vibrations' HERE

Stylophone

The Stylophone is an electronic instrument that was invented by Brian Jarvis in 1967, and consists of a metal keyboard which is played using a stylus. It was popular throughout the late 60s and 70s, and was available in three different versions: standard, bass and treble.

It was mostly marketed as a children’s toy, but many artists have been creative with it and make some interesting sounds. The sound it creates is a little crude, but in the right context it can work really well.

The electronic duo Orbital made use of the stylophone in their 1999 (mostly) instrumental piece ‘Style’ which featured on their album ‘The Middle of Nowhere.’ This song was basically crafted primarily with the stylophone, even including some percussion that was created using the instrument. It’s different, and the mood of the piece is quite relaxing.

Have a listen to Orbital - 'Style' HERE

Harpsichord

Eat your heart out, Bach! The Harpsichord is the predecessor to the piano, and was often used in Renaissance and Baroque music. 

With the creation of the fortepiano in the 18^th century, the harpsichord gradually disappeared from music. However, many artists have still made use of it in the past century, and there are many that still use it today.

The sound created by a harpsichord sounds significantly different to a piano due to the fact that the piano has the ability to play at different dynamic levels (loud and soft, etc.) whereas the harpsichord does not. 

‘Golden Brown’ by The Stranglers makes great use of the harpsichord; it is played throughout the song and even appears in the music video of the song. The main riff is played on it, and it’s very effective. 

Listen to The Stranglers - 'Golden Brown' HERE

Uilleann Pipes

Not so strange for the Irish perhaps, but this instrument is not widely-known globally. They are the national bagpipe of Ireland, and are played by the use of bellows that are squeezed by the elbow in order to supply air to the pipes.

They are usually only used in traditional Irish music, and do not sound as loud as the Scottish bagpipes. Many Irish pop/rock artists have made use of the instrument outside of a traditional context – including U2 and Clannad.

However, it is not just the Irish that have used it. For example, Finnish band Nightwish included a riff played by Uilleann Pipes in their song ‘I Want My Tears Back’ - and the Celtic sound of the Uilleann Pipes fits in very well with their symphonic metal style.

Listen to Nightwish - 'I Want My Tears Back' HERE

Kazoo

It’s impossible not to be swayed by the tinny charm of the kazoo. Probably the most simple and cheaply-made instrument out there, the kazoo is a type of membranophone, which is a class of instruments which manipulate the player’s voice with a vibrating membrane.

Possibly influenced by tribal African instruments, the first kazoo was invented by Warren Herbert Frost in the 1880’s. His design was later improved by George D. Smith in 1902, who turned the instrument into the kazoo we know today.

As opposed to blowing air into the instrument, the player hums into the mouthpiece which distorts the player’s voice.

Jesse Fuller included a kazoo solo in his song ‘San Francisco Bay Blues,’ which has been covered by many well-known artists such as Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton; even folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary created an inventive cover of the song by playing three kazoos at once. Is it a little bit ridiculous? Yes, but it’s hard not to love.

To listen to Peter, Paul and Mary - 'San Francisco Bay Blues' HERE

This article only scratches the surface of the plethora of weird and wonderful instruments that can be used by songwriters. There are many artists who even invent their own instruments in order to create an entirely new sound. So, if you’re struck with writer’s block, just try to create a song around the weirdest instrument you can think of – you’d be surprised what might work for you.

Justin Ryan

Connect with Justin on Twitter