Some musicians and sound designers seek out rare and unconventional devices that challenge standard tuning and playing technique. This list of weird instruments highlights tools that look strange, behave differently, and open new creative possibilities.
By exploring objects such as bowed keytars, multiscale guitars, and analog drum engines, performers can break habitual patterns and discover textures that stand out in recordings and live sets.
| Instrument | Category | Typical Use | Sound Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowed Keytar | Experimental hybrid | Live leads and drones | Wide vibrato, vocal-like sustain |
| Multiscale Guitar | Extended range string | Jazz chords and metal leads | Clear intervals across positions |
| Prepared Electric Piano | Prepared instrument | Ambient beds and percussion | Metallic shimmer, pitched noise |
| Analog Drum Engine | Hardware sequencer | Step programmed grooves | Raw, tight transient response |
| Hydraulophone | Water based controller | Accessible experimental play | Breathy, fluid tone layers |
Exploring Bowed Keytars
The bowed keytar combines the stage presence of a keytar with the expressive control of a bow, similar to a violin but with a distinct body shape. Players draw a bow across magnetic or piezoelectric pickups to generate sustained tones that glide between pitches.
Performers use this setup for long, evolving phrases in cinematic soundtracks, where smooth legato lines and dynamic bow pressure help the notes breathe above dense arrangements.
Multiscale Guitars and Fanned Frets
Multiscale guitars, also called fanned fret instruments, angle the frets to match the natural string length of each string. This design balances tension across the fingerboard and improves clarity for chords that span wide intervals.
Players who move between complex jazz voicings and heavy metal riffs appreciate the tighter low end and responsive high strings, which reduce the need for constant repositioning of the picking hand.
Prepared Electric Piano Techniques
Prepared electric piano involves inserting objects such as rubber strips, metal rings, or paper into the string path to alter the harmonic content. The resulting sound sits between a pure tone and a noisy texture, giving composers a palette that feels both synthetic and acoustic.
In experimental sessions, these preparations interact with magnetic pickups and onboard effects, creating evolving beds that can support vocals, drones, or intricate improvised lines.
Hydraulophone Design and Play
The hydraulophone uses pressurized water jets pressed against fingertip holes to produce pitch, similar to how a woodwind responds to airflow. Because the resistance of water can be adjusted, players can shape long tones and rapid passages with subtle finger movements.
Accessible by design, this controller often appears in public installations and educational settings, inviting people who may never touch a traditional keyboard to explore melody and harmony through fluid pressure.
Key Takeaways for Performers and Producers
- Experiment with bowing techniques on hybrid controllers like the bowed keytar to unlock vocal sustain and expressiveness.
- Consider a multiscale guitar if you need consistent note clarity across wide chords and fast lead patterns.
- Prepared electric piano offers quick, tactile timbral shifts that translate into unique studio textures without complex processing.
- Use the hydraulophone for accessible, tactile performances that translate well into modular and digital sound environments.
FAQ
Reader questions
How do these weird instruments affect live sound reinforcement?
They often require tailored pickup strategies, custom effects chains, and careful feedback management to keep their unusual resonances controlled on stage.
Are bowed keytars suitable for recording studio sessions?
Yes, their sustained tones and expressive dynamics work well when layered with traditional guitars and synths, especially in cinematic or progressive genres.
What maintenance do multiscale guitars needs compared to standard guitars?
Because of the angled frets and different scale lengths, periodic fret dressing and precise bridge setup are important to keep intonation accurate across the entire range.
Can hydraulophones be integrated into digital music workflows?
With the right analog to digital conversion and pressure mapping software, performers can route hydraulophone signals into virtual instruments and modular systems for expanded sound design.