So you want to start a band. Maybe you have a guitarist, a singer, a bass player and a drummer. But you are looking for something else to get that distinctive sound or look. Where here are some of the weirder musical instruments you could try:

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The Zither

The zither is a musical instrument consisting of a flat sound box with heaps of strings. It’s kind of like a harp but it has no frets so you can only play the strings open. It’s actually called a zither because that’s what it sounds like when its strummed: zzziiiiitttttthhhhheeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

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The Hurdy Gurdy

A hurdy gurdy is sometimes also called a wheel fiddle because it looks a little bit like a fiddle, but instead of using a bow, it has a wheel that the player turns with a crank and it rubs against the strings making a weird sound a bit like bagpipes. The hurdy gurdy dates back to the 12th century and was the first instrument to combine a keyboard with strings. It’s a really complicated machine was kind of the synthesizer or keytar of the middle ages it was the peak of musical technology at the time. Hurdy Gurdy video

Image by djenvert

The Theremin

The theremin is one of the first ever electronic musical instruments, and the first musical instrument that could be without even being touched! Sound weird but you actually play it by standing next to it and waving your arms around in the air. One arm controls the pitch or what note you are playing, the other arm controls the volume. It has a completely weird sound that is often used in science fictions and scary movies.

Image by RAAS

The Keytar

A keytar is like a fetch word combination of guitar and keyboard. It’s basically a keyboard synthesizer that can be worn around the neck and shoulders like the way you hold a guitar on a strap. Basically sounding the same as a synthesizer, Keytars are ideal for keyboard players that want to play keyboard but at the same time want to dance around on a stage 80’s style.