This version of the instrument was played more like a traditional instrument – you can see Mike Love playing it in the clip here. The Theremin – that odd early electrical instrument that is played not by touch, but by moving one’s hands in close proximity to the instrument’s two antennas - has been used more in spooky soundtracks than in rock, but Brian Wilson introduced a modern variation on it – the Electro-Theremin - to the Beach Boys’ “ Good Vibrations”, giving the chorus a transcendental vibe. The Theremin – The Beach Boys, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion The Ocarina, an ancient wind instrument that apparently dates back 12,000 years, was probably not often in common on the building sites that former Hampshire brickie Reg Presley worked at until he heard his voice on the radio, but in this clip he turns his back during the solo and pretends he’s playing it.
Why one of the most primitive and charmingly banal rock records ever somehow manages to incorporate an Ocarina solo is one of rock’s great mysteries. It’s not that surprising really, Keith like many of his Nashville heroes and friends, loves all stringed instruments, and the bouzouki is really not that dissimilar to the mandolin, which of course is often used on country records. So did he also chuck a didgeridoo onto some of his records? No, of course not – he used a bouzouki, the famous Greek instrument. Sticking with Australia, Keith Urban is one of Australia’s biggest musical exports. Joe recorded some wonderful solo material too, including the song " Yil Lull", which has been recorded by many others including Paul Kelly and Jimmy Barnes. Of course, the Didgeridoo has been used on some Australian rock records, including Goanna’s “ Solid Rock”, which featured the playing of Joe Geia of influential Indigenous rockers No Fixed Address. The sheer larrikin aspect of the whole thing makes it seem very Australian actually, just like Bon…Īnd speaking of things Australian… Not Kate of course, but she obviously knew of Australian Aboriginal tradition of The Dreamtime (and some history), and thus augmented the Aboriginal feel of her song “ The Dreaming” with a didge. In probably the most famous single use of a non-rock instrument in a rock song, Bon Scott celebrated his Scottish heritage and found an excuse to wear a kilt when he suggested the bagpipe part in “ It’s Long Way To The Top”. Anderson is definitely one of those guys steeped in the folk tradition, although Tull became popular with progressive rock fans and even hard rock fans as they went along. If you’re like me, when you think of Jethro Tull, you think of Ian Anderson strutting around in his codpiece, holding his flute to his mouth. Given the release we’re celebrating here, let’s start with a bit of Tull.
WEIRD STRINGED INSTRUMENTS FULL
Sadly no recordings exist of the Psychedelic Stooges – Iggy & pals before they shortened their name to just the Stooges – with Iggy ‘playing’ a vacuum cleaner and a blender full of water, but there’s plenty of fun to be had here. The only other artists we can think of that might use exceptional instruments on a regular basis are those more fully steeped in a folk or ethnic tradition, or coming from a classical, jazz or avant-garde background.
Tull are indeed one of the only rock artists to use a weird instrument on a regular basis for most artists, it's usually a case of bringing something in to give a track a certain feel or texture. Jethro Tull of course, are well known for Ian Anderson’s use of the flute. With a multitude of Jethro Tull 50th Anniversary releases out this year, we thought it might be a nice time to look at unusual instruments that have been used in rock. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, 2016 (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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