Today I'm back with more interesting instruments you've never seen before. That's a bold statement, I know, but trust me, there's a high chance it's true. This exhibition displayed musical instruments from all over the world, from the 19th and 20th century.
Long Neck Fiddle, Sumatra, Indonesia, beginning of the 20th century
This is an interesting instrument, a bit brutal as the design is concerned, but back in those days fine design was not a priority.
Long Neck Fiddle (Masenqo), Sumatra, Ethiopia, end of the 20th century
What was I saying about brutal design? Here's another one and if I put the two instruments side by side, the previous one will look like a masterpiece 😂. Turns out this instrument is still in use and in the form you see on the photo. You can listen to masenqo music, here.
Short Neck Fiddle (Kemene), Sofia, Bulgaria, middle of the 20th century
The funny thing about these musical instruments is that these are the same type, I mean all these are called fiddle, but are different types. This one seems heavy and the design is brutal.
Long Neck Fiddle (Erhu), China, end of the 20th century
As I mentioned in my previous post, there was a tablet at the museum, with short video clips, with the instruments, so visitors can have an idea how these instruments sound. I could not bring that to Hive, but here's a video on YouTube, by Elliot Tordo, and please listen to the music as it's a nice one.
Bedouin Musicians, Syria, 1880
Do you recognize the musical instrument in their hands? I do :)
Stick Zither (Zeze, Sese), Tanzania, beginning of the 20th century
Dulcimer, (Yangqin), China, end of the 19th century
Trough Zither, Africa, middle of the 20th century (the long one)
Convex Zither, (Jungga), Borneo, Indonesia, end of 19th century (the one in the back)
These instruments were protected by the glass, which is understandable, but I would have loved to try them out, or look at the from close. But no worries as the museum is always thinking about the visitors, young or old, it doesn't matter as everyone gets something.
No matter what exhibition is on, there's always something to try out. Once there were coloring books for kids, with Egyptian designs. There was a beer exhibition, where there was craft beer served at the opening day.
This time there were these musical instruments in this box and some pillows on the ground for kids to play and learn. I'm not a kid anymore, but could not resist temptation and tried out a few. It was very cool and can't imagine how much fun kids can have. I heard the curator saying they are planning to invite schools soon.
This was the other box, full of cool toys and this time I chose to play the xylophone. You know, the big wooden thing made of wooden pieces, on the top. No matter how basic it looks, had a wonderful sound.
Bagobo Musicians, Lanao Lake Region, Philippines, 1911
We have quite a few Philippino users on Hive, I wonder if they recognize these instruments.
Pipe Zither, Madagascar, end of the 19th century
Psaltery (kantele), Sortavala, Finland, end of the 19th century
Humped Zither (koto), Japan, end of the 19th century
Small-Headed Zither, Hungary, beginning of the 20th century
I've seen quite many zithers, but the round one on the left is strange. I don't know how you would play that. And here it is. It's interesting, but I would prefer the flat ones, those look more interesting to me and maybe easier to hold.
If you're a newbie, you may want to check out these guides:
