From vultures' wings to Eigenharp: what is the future for music?

A few weeks ago I heard somebody ‘’spooning’’. Not knowing what this verb meant I was surprised to learn that it meant playing the spoons to produce music! The idea that you can create music from everyday objects captured my imagination and I did some investigation. 

I found videos on YouTube of a classical music concert which included a piece in which the main musical instrument was a typewriter! It was really funny. I discovered people playing a saw which sounded to me as beautiful as violin music. Others producing music by rubbing the rims of glasses and blowing over bottles containing water reminded me of my childhood games. 

This made me think, what makes a musical instrument? What characteristics does an object need to be classified as a musical instrument? Although the previous named tools made beautiful or interesting music we can’t classify them as such, because they were designed for another purpose. The reason why these objects enchant us and make us laugh when we hear them is precisely because they were not designed to make music.

People have been making music since prehistoric times and it has always been a social activity. Some of the oldest known artefacts are musical instruments, carved from the femurs of bears and woolly mammoth tusks. The oldest known musical instrument is made from a vulture’s wing bone. It dates to about 35,000 years ago and is a type of flute with five holes.

Some inventions of musical instruments have made a great impact on musical styles. Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in 1840. It became very popular in military bands and in orchestras, but above all else, the saxophone was influential in the development of new musical genres such as; blues, swing and bebop jazz.

During the 20th century other new instruments, like the electric guitar and the drum set, had a profound effect on the musical industry. Their appearance added great variety and richness to Western music.

It has been a long while since any new musical instrument has made such an impact. Have you ever heard of the Eigenharp, the Tenori-on or the Harpejji? No, neither had I! I found them on the internet.

So what happened? Why has there been such a drought of new instruments—especially in rock and pop, which thrive on novelty? The biggest barrier is the institutionalization of Western music and the mass marketing of all the instruments. Inventors of musical instruments find it very hard to break into the market with their newest designs. 


Nowadays, most music is listened to via an electronic device. In the 21st century there has been a shift to downloading. But this, in a sense, distances you from the musician and the music. Nevertheless, the growth of live music looks to continue unimpeded for years to come, as real-life experiences encounter a surge in popularity. The tide is turning back to people wanting that live connection. And the music industry has responded to people’s inclinations.


Having looked at the positive ratings that the videos on Youtube receive where people are playing unusual instruments, it is obvious there is an appetite for this. The music industry should respond.


Will a brand-new instrument ever capture hearts, minds, and speaker systems again?

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