Some musical instruments are definitely weird, and that’s part of what makes them so interesting and fun to play! There are all sorts of oddities out there, from the theremin to the musical saw. Each one has its own quirks and challenges like the games on National Casino Australia, which is what makes them so enjoyable to perform with.

Weird musical instruments can range from those that are simply unusual in their design, to those that are outright bizarre. 

1. Theremin

The theremin is an electronic musical instrument created by Russian physicist Léon Theremin in the 1920s. It is played without physical contact by the performer, who controls the pitch and volume of the sound by gesturing in the air near two metal antennas. 

The theremin was used extensively in movie soundtracks from the 1950s onward, most notably in Bernard Herrmann’s score for The Day the Earth Stood Still and in the theme song for the original 1956 version of The Invisible Man.

2. Ondes Martenot

The Ondes Martenot is a musical instrument with a long and storied history. Its haunting and ethereal tones have been used by composers and performers for centuries, and its unique capabilities continue to make it a popular tool for modern musicians.

First developed in the early 1900s by French composer Maurice Martenot, the Ondes Martenot is an electronic musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating metal wires. The instrument is played by depressing keys on a keyboard, which in turn activates the wires. The pitch of the sound produced by the Ondes Martenot can be controlled by both the performer and the composer, making it a versatile tool for both live performance and studio recording.

The Ondes Martenot has been used by a wide range of artists over the years, from classical composers like Olivier Messiaen and Darius Milhaud, to pop performers like David Bowie and Radiohead. Its unique sound has also been featured in a number of film scores, such as Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

While the Ondes Martenot is not as widely known as some other electronic musical instruments, it remains an important part of the musical landscape, and its unique sonic capabilities continue to inspire new generations of performers and composers.

3. Mellotron

The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England, in 1963. It evolved from an instrument called the Chamberlin, which was only semi-polyphonic and borrowed its sound generation technology from a music box. 

The Mellotron became an overnight sensation when it was used by the Beatles on the 1965 track “Strawberry Fields Forever”. Despite its commercial success, the Mellotron fell out of favor in the 1970s due to the introduction of cheaper and more reliable synthesizers.

4. Chamberlin

The Chamberlin is a musical instrument that was invented in the early 20th century. It is a keyboard instrument that uses a roll of perforated paper to play a melody. The paper is fed through the keyboard, and the player presses the keys to create the desired sounds. 

The Chamberlin is similar to a player piano, but it is smaller and portable. It was often used as a home entertainment device, and it was popular during the Big Band era.