Meet the Instruments with the Weirdest Backstories in Music History
- Greater Toronto Music School
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
When we think about instruments, we usually picture the piano, guitar or violin. But history has plenty of oddballs too, some that mimic voices, some powered by fire and even a few carved from vegetables. The world of music has always been wildly creative.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most unique instruments in the world, looking at their strange origins and the fun facts about music that make them unforgettable. Get ready to meet the weirdest backstories in music history; you may never look at your instrument the same way again.
Weird Musical Instruments: Quick Menu
The Basics of Weird Musical Instruments
Before we get into the stories, it's worth considering why we should care about these strange instruments.
First, they remind us that music is always evolving through experimentation. Every instrument we know today, from the piano to the electric guitar, began as an innovation. Strange instruments also reflect the creativity of their time. Whether scientists were trying to turn electricity into sound or musicians were searching for new tones, these creations show how far people will go to make music.
And of course, it’s just fun to learn about them and their history. That being said, let’s now showcase some of the weirdest instruments and their backstories.
Instrument #1 - The Theremin
The theremin, invented in 1920 by Russian scientist Léon Theremin, is one of the strangest instruments ever made. But what makes it so unusual? You don’t actually touch it to play. Instead, it has two metal antennas that sense where your hands are. One controls the pitch, the other controls the volume, and by moving your hands through the invisible electromagnetic fields, you create those eerie, wavering sounds the theremin is famous for.
A Quick Fun Fact
The theremin's unique sound made it popular in science fiction films during the 1950s. You've undoubtedly heard it in a classic like The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Did You Know
The Soviet Union originally asked Léon Theremin to work on motion-sensing technology for security. Instead, he ended up inventing one of the strangest and most haunting instruments the world has ever heard.
Instrument #2. The Glass Harmonica
In the 18th century, composer Benjamin Franklin (also known as the American founding father) created the glass harmonica. Franklin got the idea from rubbing a wet finger on the rim of wine glasses to make sound. He built an instrument with glass bowls mounted on a spindle. Players would wet their fingers and touch the spinning glass to create soft, haunting tones.
Strange But True
The glass harmonica was considered so strange that some people thought it could drive listeners mad. Its ghostly tones were said to damage nerves, disturb sleep or even call up spirits. Because of these superstitions, the instrument eventually lost its popularity.
Instrument #3. The Serpent
The serpent, which first appeared in the 16th century, is a brass instrument shaped like a snake, hence the name. It has a wooden, winding body with finger holes like a woodwind, yet it plays the deep notes of a low brass instrument.
A Little Backstory
The serpent was initially created to provide bass support for church choirs. However, its ungainly design and fluctuating tone made it difficult to play, and it gradually went out of style.
The serpent, despite its appearance, is the ancestor of modern tubas and euphoniums. Without this unusual instrument, brass sections could sound very different today.
Instrument #4. The Pyrophone Flame Organ
Yes, you read it correctly, the pyrophone is an organ driven by fire. The pyrophone was invented in the nineteenth century by Frenchman Georges Frédéric Eugène Kastner and makes sound when controlled explosions or flames ignite inside its glass tubes.
It never became a widely used instrument, but it captured a time when inventors eagerly blended science, technology and art.
The pyrophone was also known as the "fire organ" or "explosion organ" due to its fire-based operation. Its loud, unsteady sound rendered it more of a curiosity than a useful instrument.
Instrument #5. The Hydraulis Ancient Water Organ
The hydraulis was an ancient Greek organ that used water pressure to power its pipes, making it one of the oldest and most unusual instruments in the world. Dating back to the third century BCE, it’s seen as the ancestor of today’s modern pipe organ.
The hydraulis was popular at sports events, arenas and gladiator fights because of its loud, powerful sound. For a more visual example, imagine watching a chariot race with an ancient water-powered organ playing in the background.
The hydraulis was ahead of its time and shows that people have always wanted to build big, powerful instruments. It brought together engineering and music in a way that still feels modern, proving that the connection between invention and sound goes back thousands of years.
Instrument #6. The Singing Ringing Tree
The Singing Ringing Tree is a more recent addition, having been created in Burnley, England, in 2006. This wind-powered sculpture is composed of metal pipes that emit ghostly tones as air flows through them.
A Fun Fact
Standing three meters tall on a hilltop, the Singing Ringing Tree not only makes sound but also serves as a striking piece of public art.
Unlike most instruments, the Singing Ringing Tree isn’t played by people but by nature itself. It’s a reminder that music can be as much about the environment as it is about human performance.
Instrument #7. The Vegetable Orchestra
Some instruments aren't built to last, they're designed to be eaten. The Vegetable Orchestra of Vienna, Austria creates instruments from fresh vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, cucumbers and leeks. Members prepare flutes, drums and horns from fresh produce before each performance.
The symphony also uses leftover vegetables to create soup and share it with the audience after their concerts.
The Backstory
Founded in 1998, the Vegetable Orchestra combines humor with environmental awareness. By using perishable instruments, they challenge the idea of permanence in music and performance.
Instrument #8. The Sharpsichord
Also known as the pin-barrel harp, the Sharpsichord is a massive, solar-powered instrument that works like a giant music box. Invented by Henry Dagg in the 21st century, it uses a rotating cylinder with thousands of holes where pins can be placed to pluck strings.
Fun Little Fact
The Sharpsichord is such an unusual instrument that it even appeared in a charity concert with Elton John.
Mixing the look of an old-fashioned music box with modern technology, the Sharpsichord proves that inventors are still coming up with weird musical instruments that leave behind unforgettable stories.
Why These Stories Matter in the History of Musical Instruments
When we look back at the history of musical instruments, it’s easy to focus on the big names like the piano, violin, guitar and drums that shaped so much of Western music. But the strange and forgotten instruments matter too. They remind us how different cultures experimented with sound and technology, how superstition, science and art often came together, and how innovation sometimes failed but also opened the door to new ideas.
In the end, every unusual instrument tells us something about human creativity and our constant drive to find new ways of making music.
The Fun Facts About Music That You Need to Know
We’re not done just yet, here are some fun music facts:
The didgeridoo, from Australia, is one of the oldest wind instruments still played today. It’s more than 1,000 years old.
The ocarina is a small wind instrument that inspired the Nintendo game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
In some parts of Europe, glass harmonicas were once banned because people thought their spooky sounds could make people go mad.
The theremin was one of the first electronic instruments and helped lead to the invention of synthesizers.
The Vegetable Orchestra carves instruments from fresh veggies before each show, and every concert sounds a little different.
The FAQs: Weird Instruments in Music History
Q: What is the weirdest instrument in music history?
A: It really depends on who you ask, but the theremin, the pyrophone and the glass harmonica usually top the list. Their unusual designs and strange sounds make them stand out as some of the oddest instruments ever created.
Q: Are weird musical instruments still used today?
A: Yes they are! While many are rare, some like the theremin or the serpent are still performed by enthusiasts, and modern inventors continue creating unique instruments like the Sharpsichord.
Q: Why do people invent weird instruments in the first place?
A: Most of the time, it comes from curiosity. Musicians and inventors love exploring new sounds, testing new technologies and finding fresh ways to be creative.
Q: What’s the oldest and unique instrument in the world?
A: One of the oldest is the hydraulis, an ancient Greek water organ. It dates back to the 3rd century BCE and is considered the ancestor of today’s pipe organ.
Q: Can I learn to play unusual instruments today?
A: Absolutely! Some, like the theremin or glass harmonica, are available from specialty makers. Others can be replicated with DIY approaches.
Blending Old and New Music at Greater Toronto Music School
At Greater Toronto Music School, we celebrate both the classics and the quirky, odd aspects of music history. Music, as shown by these instruments, is about creativity, experimentation and joy.
Our teaching style keeps this balance in mind. We guide students through the basics, like reading music, technique and theory, while also encouraging them to explore the styles and sounds they love. Whether your goal is to master the piano, sing with confidence or dive into digital music, our instructors are ready to support you.
The history of music shows us that innovation and fun are just as important as discipline. That’s why our lessons are designed to be both structured and enjoyable, giving you the freedom to create while developing solid skills.
Learn Music History’s Weirdest Instruments in Toronto
Enjoy learning about the world’s most unusual instruments? At Greater Toronto Music School, we believe your own music journey should feel just as creative and inspiring.
Whether you’d like to dive into classical training, explore modern music production or simply feel more confident with your instrument, our friendly instructors are here to help.
Curious to start your own music journey? Reach out today by phone or contact form and we’d love to help you get started.
