Most Unusual Instruments Used in Bands...

~~julesg~~ · 09-23-2009, 04:31 AM

well I know Incubus play the didgeridoo from time to time, but who else plays something really bizarre in a band??
I'm a bassoonist myself, i challenge someone to find a band that includes that?!! (i think there's a reason why you won't find anything)

anyway....

- Portico Quartet (Mercury Award nominees last year) have a hang player (a sort of flying saucer shaped metal gong that sounds a bit like a steel drum...really lovely sound)

- Speed Caravan have an oud player (sort of like a lute, used in a lot of Arabic music), and he amplifies it which is quite unusual. plus he's a phenomenal player so well worth checking out.

oo and i saw a band with a bass keytar player recently, that was pretty cool.

any more??? (unusual effects on instruments welcomed too!! like sigur ros and people)

Liljagare · 09-23-2009, 09:05 AM

I always thought it interesting when I see a person playing a keyharp (nyckelharpa) in a band. It is an extremly difficult instrument to play so it is always admirable to see it being played well.

Mats Wester plays keyharp for Nordman:

TyrantSong · 09-23-2009, 09:16 AM

The Cassettes utilizes a Theremin.

~~straycat~~ · 09-24-2009, 05:54 AM

[QUOTE=julesg;740992]
- Portico Quartet (Mercury Award nominees last year) have a hang player (a sort of flying saucer shaped metal gong that sounds a bit like a steel drum...really lovely sound)

- Speed Caravan have an oud player (sort of like a lute, used in a lot of Arabic music), and he amplifies it which is quite unusual. plus he's a phenomenal player so well worth checking out.
QUOTE]

haha just heard the speed caravan cover of galvanise. brilliant!

~~julesg~~ · 09-24-2009, 06:17 AM

Here's Speed Caravan doing Galvanise!!

durp · 10-07-2009, 11:19 AM

I've seen bands use a saw, spoons, kazoos, glockenspiel, harmonium all by on e band in one set

Sneer · 11-15-2009, 07:00 AM

Singing Saw. Julian Koster is probs the most well known musican to use it

OceanAndSilence · 11-21-2009, 03:24 PM

i remember seeing a bjork performance in which one of the instruments was a guy shifting sand/small rocks with his feet.

Dieselboy · 11-21-2009, 04:32 PM

Brings tears (of laughter) to my eyes

~~Odyshape~~ · 01-08-2010, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselboy

Brings tears (of laughter) to my eyes

hahaha win

09-23-2009, 04:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
~~julesg~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London Posts: 34	Most Unusual Instruments Used in Bands... well I know Incubus play the didgeridoo from time to time, but who else plays something really bizarre in a band?? I'm a bassoonist myself, i challenge someone to find a band that includes that?!! (i think there's a reason why you won't find anything) anyway.... - Portico Quartet (Mercury Award nominees last year) have a hang player (a sort of flying saucer shaped metal gong that sounds a bit like a steel drum...really lovely sound) - Speed Caravan have an oud player (sort of like a lute, used in a lot of Arabic music), and he amplifies it which is quite unusual. plus he's a phenomenal player so well worth checking out. oo and i saw a band with a bass keytar player recently, that was pretty cool. any more??? (unusual effects on instruments welcomed too!! like sigur ros and people)

09-23-2009, 09:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Liljagare Music Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sweden Posts: 182	I always thought it interesting when I see a person playing a keyharp (nyckelharpa) in a band. It is an extremly difficult instrument to play so it is always admirable to see it being played well. Mats Wester plays keyharp for Nordman: Last edited by Liljagare; 09-23-2009 at 09:28 AM.

09-24-2009, 05:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
~~straycat~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: London Posts: 15	Speed Caravan [QUOTE=julesg;740992] - Portico Quartet (Mercury Award nominees last year) have a hang player (a sort of flying saucer shaped metal gong that sounds a bit like a steel drum...really lovely sound) - Speed Caravan have an oud player (sort of like a lute, used in a lot of Arabic music), and he amplifies it which is quite unusual. plus he's a phenomenal player so well worth checking out. QUOTE] haha just heard the speed caravan cover of galvanise. brilliant!

09-24-2009, 06:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
~~julesg~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London Posts: 34	Speed Caravan - Galvanise Here's Speed Caravan doing Galvanise!!

11-15-2009, 07:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	Singing Saw. Julian Koster is probs the most well known musican to use it __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

09-23-2009, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
TyrantSong Didn't kill nobody. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Atlas, PA Posts: 144	The Cassettes utilizes a Theremin.

10-07-2009, 11:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
durp Groupie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 16	I've seen bands use a saw, spoons, kazoos, glockenspiel, harmonium all by on e band in one set

11-21-2009, 03:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
OceanAndSilence i write and play stuff Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 239	i remember seeing a bjork performance in which one of the instruments was a guy shifting sand/small rocks with his feet. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/chrisneto - tune in to chill out

11-21-2009, 04:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dieselboy Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 608	Brings tears (of laughter) to my eyes