We often fancy conventional instruments very much and forget how interesting non-conventional can be for inspiration.

Here´s a Hurdy Gurdy played by a very skilled musician

https://www.youtube.com/user/avinograd/videos

 

Bazantar

 

Balalaika : Kalinka "Калинка"

Developed: Late 18th to early 19th centuries late 20th century

 

Pipa

 

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State Orchestra Stuttgart - The contrabassoon - musicians and their instruments

 

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* I consider voices as an instrument & rare here :

 

Don't know if they are the best, but I enjoy these performances (theremin and musical saw):

 

Last edited: Jul 29, 2021

The Sintir or Guembri (Guinease Bass)

Erhu Hulusi - Gourd violin (central plains Sinoturcic precursor of the violin)

*The music itself tells you how far the instrument has traveled it's mostly Greek in structure but in phrases you can still here how the instrument went from the central plains of the far east with nomadic Mongols, Tatars and Turks, through India, Persia, Arabia and ended up in Anatolia.

 

Last edited: Jul 29, 2021

Prince Diabate plays, the Kora and is fairly amazing. He used to gig with my friends in Mystic Journey.

 

Bianzhong of Marquis Yi - Traditional Chinese Bells