The guitar, bass, and drum kit are the hallmark instruments of rock through all of its evolutions through the years. However, every once in a while, a band or musician will toss out a wild card; and oddly enough, it’ll work beautifully. Let’s look at a few odd instruments that famous rock bands once incorporated into their music!
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1. Theremin (The Beach Boys)
If you’ve never heard of the theremin, you’re missing out. This electronic musical instrument can be played without actually touching the instrument. By simply moving one’s hands around certain parts of the theremin, one can manipulate sound frequencies to create a unique and otherworldly sound.
Typically, theremins were used for soundtracks in science fiction movies back in the day. If you hear it, you’ll know it. Surprisingly, The Beach Boys decided to incorporate the unique instrument (specifically the “Electro-Theremin”) into their hit song “Good Vibrations” in 1966.
2. Mellotron (The Beatles)
“Strawberry Fields Forever” is one of The Beatles’ most well-known songs. And this delightful tune features a very unique instrument: the Mellotron.
This electro-mechanical instrument was invented in the 1960s. It looks like a keyboard with a few knobs and switches, but the sound it produces is quite unique. John Lennon and Paul McCartney both bought one back in the day and the sample featured in “Strawberry Fields Forever” is one of the most famous examples of the Mellotron in popular music.
3. 12-String Bass (Metallica)
When you think about it, the 12-string bass doesn’t seem that odd. If anything, having more strings typically yields a fuller and brighter sound. However, 12-string bass instruments aren’t exactly common. And acoustic instruments, in general, aren’t commonplace in metal music.
Metallica decided to switch things up by adding a 12-string bass riff to the introduction of “Wherever I May Roam”, accompanied by some beautiful chimes.
4. Bagpipes (AC/DC)
The bagpipes are not considered odd or even unique across the pond in Scotland. However, bagpipes are pretty odd instruments to have on a rock track. AC/DC made the bagpipes cool by featuring them in the hit song “It’s A Long Way To The Top”.
Bon Scott’s bagpipes kick in shortly after the introduction of the song, just before the other instruments kick in. And one can’t deny that it sounds really, really cool.
Photo by Zöllner/ullstein bild via Getty Images
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