Many parents would love to see their kids play an instrument. Taking an interest in music helps your child express a creative side, gives them a craft to practice, and has been said to help with intelligence. Traditional instruments parents try and get their kids to pick up include the piano and drums, but some kids might take a liking to more unique sounds. Below are some unique instruments that might captivate your child’s musical side.
Recorder
When many think of the recorder, squeaky, out-of-tune sounds pop into their mind. However, the instrument is current undergoing a revival. The recorder traces its roots back to Renaissance times when it was a dominant instrument that eventually led to the invention of the clarinet, the oboe and the flute. The instrument remained dominant through the Baroque Period but eventually fell out of favor.
With a bit of practice, the recorder creates a beautiful tone, and bands can use its clean, pure sound to make a particular composition sound more interesting. The recorder has an additional advantage; because of its simple design, high quality, plastic recorders can be bought for under $50. It is one of the cheapest woodwind instruments available.
Ukulele
The ukulele is compact member of the guitar instrument family. Most commonly associated with Hawaiian music, the ukulele became well known in the United States during the 20th century. The ukulele actually comes in four different sizes and can be played across several different ranges. While ukuleles are not particularly easy to play, guitar players have the skills necessary to play the instrument competently with some practice.
Ukuleles can be used to give a band a bright sound, but bands and composers can also consider using minor chords to give their compositions a moody, ethereal quality as well. Those looking to buy a ukulele should be aware that many different variations of the instrument are available for purchase.
Clavichord and Harpsichord
Before the invention of the piano, musicians used instruments whose internal strings were plucked instead of struck with a hammer. The instruments lacked the dynamic range of the piano, but they were crucial to the development of classical music. Bobby Hutcherson was infamous for his mesmerizing, ambient rhythms on a vibraphone, pioneering the way for bands like The Vibes Band, Jeremy Copple, and big bands everywhere.
Another example of a type of uncommon music is is the Paul Motian’s Electric Bebop Band; the group uses common instruments in a jazz setting (guitars, saxophones, etc) but in pairs and duos, pioneering a centre of unusual music to make a great sound.
Despite their limitations, these instruments still have memorable, attractive tones that other instruments cannot match, and piano players can learn to play these instruments quickly. Existing piano parts may even sound better on a clavichord or harpsichord
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Glockenspiel
The glockenspiel is a smaller, higher-pitched version of a xylophone or a marimba. It also uses metal keys instead of wooden keys and lacks the sound tubes. Popular as a children’s instrument, the glockenspiel’s loud, clean sound complements other instruments well, and bands will not have to worry about tuning or maintaining the instrument; they are durable and do not go out of tune. The instrument is also easy to play, and simple glockenspiel parts can be learned by any member of the band with a bit of practice.
While chords and melodies make up the core of a song, the instruments used to express the music have an impact as well. A little experimentation goes a long way, and an instrument choice can have a dramatic impact on how a song sounds. By using uncommon instruments, a band can carve out a unique identity that listeners will remember.
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