Extraordinary Musical Instruments

Invented in the 18th century by Benjamin Franklin, this instrument consists of a series of glass bowls spun on a central axis, played by touching the rims with wet fingers. Although it was incredibly popular in Europe for several decades, its reputation eventually declined due to a bizarre rumour. People began to believe that the haunting, ethereal sounds it produced caused listeners to go mad, and that the lead paint used on the bowls caused severe illness among the musicians. Today, there are very few professional players left in the world, making it extremely difficult to find someone qualified to teach the instrument, meaning traditional knowledge is slowly being lost.

This electronic instrument is completely unique because it is played without any physical contact. The musician controls the volume and pitch by simply moving their hands in the air around two metal antennas. This lack of touch makes it incredibly difficult to master, as performers must rely entirely on their sense of hearing and muscle memory to hit the correct notes. Originally designed in 1920, it found a surprising second life in the mid-20th century, becoming the signature sound for numerous science-fiction movie soundtracks. While it is rarely seen in classical orchestras anymore, it remains highly popular among experimental rock bands who want to add an eerie, futuristic atmosphere to their live shows.

Created in Switzerland in the early 2000s, this instrument resembles a flying saucer and is played by tapping the metal surface with the hands. Unlike many traditional instruments, there are no fixed rules or formal sheet music for playing it; performers are encouraged to rely completely on improvisation. The demand for these beautiful objects grew so rapidly that the original inventors had to stop taking orders, forcing enthusiastic buyers into a lengthy waiting list that often stretched for years. Because of the incredible precision required during the manufacturing process, mass-producing them is virtually impossible, which has unfortunately driven up the price of second-hand models to extraordinary sums of money.

Rather than being played by a human, this architectural sound art project is played continuously by the ocean waves. Located on a coastal promenade in Croatia, it consists of a series of underwater pipes connected to steps that lead down into the sea. As the water pushes air through the pipes, varying chords are produced depending on the size and speed of the waves. It was constructed as part of a project to repair the city's coastline, which had suffered extensive damage during the Second World War. The unpredictable nature of the sea means that the melody is constantly changing, providing locals and tourists with a genuinely unique, relaxing concert every single day.