Music has proven to be a fun and pure pleasure, from listening to soothing sounds and rhythmic harmonies to exploring new languages. Being a music lover like George Valentine Freundlich you are already familiar with the most common instruments such as piano and drum providing the back-beat and the guitar executing melody. But there are many wonderful musical instruments with symbolic cultural significance in their regions. 

George Valentine Freundlich had traveled to over 100 countries and explored different musical instruments. Don’t worry if you can’t travel the world; being a music enthusiast, you can read about some of the unique musical instruments with different origins. 

Some Unique Musical Instruments around the Globe

Let’s explore some musical instruments from some countries around the globe. 

Hydraulophone

It is one of the world’s first musical instruments that generate sound by direct physical contact with water. Usually, acoustic instruments produce sounds in solid-state (drums or string instruments) or gaseous state (wind instruments). However, this tonal acoustic instrument is a new bizarre liquid-based instrument invented by Canadian Researcher Steve Mann. Just for your knowledge, the Hydraulophone has impressive healing properties since the emotional factors of water and music make it perfect for therapeutic applications.  

Bansuri

A side-blown flute made up of bamboo is famous in North Indian Music. It consists of six or seven finger holes. Musicians can create notes by tapping these finger holes. Moreover, longer bansuri has deeper tones and lower pitches. It was believed to be used in classical Hindustani culture by Krishna.

Glass Harmonica

A series of glass bowls in Glass Harmonica produces a beautiful sound. It is not similar to a harmonica and is also referred to as the Bowl organ, Armonica, and Hydrocrystalophone. The bowls in Glass Harmonica are positioned horizontally, and musicians can play up to ten notes like a piano. It was popular in Europe after Benjamin Franklin invented it.

Angklung

An Indonesian musical instrument made up of tubes suspended in a bamboo frame. All the players must collaborate while playing melodies since it produces a single note. It is played in ceremonies such as rice planting and harvest and is closely related to Indonesia’s arts, traditions, and cultural identity. Moreover, Angklung is officially recognized as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. 

Trombone

Belongs to the brass family, it is unique from other options because it uses a slide instead of a valve to alter pitches. The ranges are much similar to that of human voices, and it is usually played in aristocrats, churches, music organizations, and military bands. In short, the love for Trombone (currently known as a large trumpet) is never-ending. 

Didgeridoo

The Didgeridoo is an ancient wind instrument that uses a special breathing technique, namely, circulate breathing. This straight tube is played with continuous vibrating lips without using finger holes. It is mainly associated with indigenous Australian music, but non-indigenous people have been permitted to use this instrument. 

Conclusion

The world is full of unique and strange musical instruments. However, not all of them are used in modern music. It is surprising to discover and incorporate the sounds of unique musical instruments around the world.