1. The Great Stalacpipe Organ. Though it was named after the resemblance of the particular 37 stalactites used to make it, this instrument is actually known as a lithophone (an instrument played by striking rocks to produce sound) and is in the same family as xylophones and glockenspiels.
Living up to its present-day nickname, “the world's deadliest instrument,” Franklin's glass armonica allegedly began killing people. The complexity of the armonica overstimulated the brain, which ultimately caused dizziness, nervousness, hallucinations, and cramps amongst performers.
Have you ever heard of classical music's lowest (and rarest) string instrument? It's called the octobass (a.k.a. octobasse) and was built in 1850 by French instrument maker Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. It is tuned two octaves below a cello and stands a 12-feet tall.
The most popular instruments they sell are the saxophone, flute and clarinet, with the least popular being the tuba, French horn and the bassoon. We caught up with them to find out more about these endangered instruments.
Guitar. The guitar is often considered to be the "coolest" musical instrument to learn. There are plenty of options available too: from electric to acoustic, classical to bass, all provide different sounds and styles. Most people can master basic chords and scales fairly quickly.
Whatever the limit the ukulele reigns as the “world's happiest instrument ” laughs Hanner.
It might surprise you to know that 21 million Americans play the piano! No wonder it is number 1 on our list. The piano is possibly the most versatile of all instruments because it is played in almost every genre and can be accompanied or played solo.
The oldest musical instrument in the world (60,000 years)
The oldest musical instrument in the world, a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal flute is a treasure of global significance. It was discovered in Divje babe cave near Cerkno and has been declared by experts to have been made by Neanderthals.
A violin! What musical instrument can you hear but not see or touch? I am at the beginning of a phrase.
Most elementary school band programs start with what's called the “Big 5” instruments. These instruments include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. These instruments are the most common instruments to begin playing because they are fairly easy to learn, but they still take decades to master.
Overall, the guitar is easier to learn than the piano. If you consider the layout, learning songs, the ability to self-teach and a few other things, it is an easier instrument. However, it's the easiest on average for everyone. This means for people of all ages.
While the French horn may be the loudest instrument, it is by no means the only one that produces dangerously loud sounds. Below is a list of common instruments and their decibel outputs when played at their loudest: Trombone: 85 to 114 db. Flute: 85 to 111 db.
Participants judged the human voice as the most frequently used sad instrument, with the 'cello, viola, violin and piano completing the top five. The triangle was judged the instrument least used for sadness, along with the cymbal, tambourine, wood block, and glockenspiel.
Carillons come in many designs, weights, sizes, and sounds. They are among the world's heaviest instruments, and the heaviest carillon weighs over 91 metric tons (100 short tons).
Religious leaders in the 19th century called the fiddle “The Devil's Instrument,” since it was often played at weddings, dances and gatherings where food, drink and merriment ensued.
The Vuvuzela
There may be no instrument more annoying than the vuvuzela. This long plastic tube with a horn on the end is blown into to create a sustained monotone note for long periods of time.