What are these musical instruments made of? We'll tell you.

1. Xylophone: wood, usually rosewood.
2. Lithophone: Stones!
3. Vibraphone: Metal.
4. Slit drum: Bamboo.
5. Cowbell: Brass or other metal. Cowbells originated in the Alps, where they're tuned to different notes so you can tell the cows apart.
6. Maraca: Gourd or calabash fruit. Maracas were originally used for divination in Brazil.
7. Mbira (kalimba): woods and metal. (Thumb piano.)
8. Daxophone: Snakewood, with one or two contact microphones. It's the only electric instrument in this list, but we couldn't resist including it because 'Dax' comes from 'badger'. Take a listen.
9. Musical saw: Wood and metal, sure. But did you know that Marlene Dietrich played one? Try this at home.
10. Harmonica de Franklin: Glass and water. Invented by Ben Franklin in 1761.

This planet makes cool sounds. Play something today.

I think I'll major in glass harmonica.

Paigetheoracle

07.10.19 Front Page

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