# Anybody play any unusual musical instruments?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [December 19, 2000, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320 "2000-12-19T08:07:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2000, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320/21 "2000-12-19T18:35:00Z")
I used to play trombone and soprano recorder. If neither of those is a particularly unusual instrument, the two together have to be a rare combination.
Once - just one time - I had the chance to play a double-bell euphonium. It looks like a baritone horn doing something unspeakable to a trumpet, I swear to Gawd. Anyway, the reason I got to play it at all was because my high school band director found it gathering dust in a storage room, cleaned it up, and showed it to us band fags. I asked if I could play it and he said, sure. So after diddling for a few minutes, I hit the highest note I could through the large bell (this was back when I had an embouchure, so it was pretty high), and then opened the valve that sent the sound to the small bell.
I didn’t actually break the windows, mind you, but I had them worried for a few seconds.
That’s why I only got to play it once.
---
### Author:  [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2000, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320/22 "2000-12-19T18:49:28Z")
I had a friend who always put “computer keyboard” for musical instrument entries. (I think it was on college applications)
---
### Author:  [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2000, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320/23 "2000-12-20T12:59:13Z")
I’m still plugging away learning the chanter, and hope to graduate to highland bagpipes someday.
One of the bonuses of the chanter is that if your neighbours are being loud and unpleasant in the back yard, you just go into yours and start practicing the chanter. They usually go indoors.
---
### Author:  [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2000, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320/24 "2000-12-20T14:10:08Z")
I play the spoons. (Yes, that’s where I got my username from.) Even been called to play gigs with bands, but mostly around St. Patrick’s Day.
And if I try, I can also manage the bodhran and the bones.
As for regular instruments, although I studied piano as a child, I turned to the flute some years ago and haven’t looked back. Well, I’ve looked sideways, I guess: penny whistles and recorders too.
---
### Author:  [@stargazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stargazer)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2000, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320/25 "2000-12-20T17:49:40Z")
I’m in the bell choir at my church, but I can’t play solo. I mean, I could ring the bells and all, but I’m still a beginner so actually playing a piece by myself is right out.
One of these days I’m going to learn the hammer dulcimer. I love the way that sounds!
---
### Author:  [@Nymysys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nymysys)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2000, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320/26 "2000-12-21T21:33:39Z")
Another bodhran player checking in. Bought it for my ex-husband many moons ago, and ended up being better at it than he was. Ah…when percussionists marry. Notice I said “ex.” 😃
Also play piano, guitar, french horn and other various and sundry percussion instruments.
Wanting to learn how to play the bouzouki, but considering my brand-new monetary status, I think I’ll have to put that off for a bit.
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-play-any-unusual-musical-instruments/46320.md?page=1)