Who says music can only be made with traditional instruments like guitars, pianos, flutes, and trumpets? The musicians in this slideshow below sure wouldn't. They've managed to produce sounds from ball bearings, ping pong balls, modified video game consoles, vegetables, fish, footwear, and typewriters.
While the music made with these unusual instruments may not appear at the concert hall nearest you, their existence proves that music and imagination are two universal, innate human qualities.
20 Unusual Musical Instruments
20
Instruments Made of Car Parts
Car Music Project for Ford
19
iPhone Cover Bands
The Mentalists Take On "Kids" by MGMT
18
Cellular Symphonies
Stanford's Mobile Phone Orchestra Turns PDAs Into Chamber Instruments
17
Musical Fish
Researchers Develop Audio Aquarium for the Blind
16
Music from MacBooks and Salad Bowls
The Stanford Laptop Orchestra
15
Raves for Nerds
The Blip Festival Uses Nintendo and Atari Instruments
14
Gas Mask Kazoos
Creepy and Downright Diabolical Music From The Chemical Wartet
13
Carrot Clarinets
Vegetable Instruments for DIY Eco-Friendly Music-Making
12
Chip Music
Music with Old Videogame Consoles
11
Musical Junk
Ugly Noisemakers
10
Robotic Music with Ping Pong Balls & Wine Glasses
Absolut Quartet
9
Electroplankton
Musical Touch Screen Gadget as Art
8
Music From Ball Bearings
Bizarre BeatBaring Demo Proves Music Can Be Made With Anything
7
Streets That Make Music
Honda's Avenue K in California
6
Interactive Musical Pencils
Drawdio Turns Doodles Into Sound
5
Chiptune Christmas Songs
‘8 Bit Jesus' is Nerdtastic
4
Music from Fidgety Finger-Tapping
The 'Jam' Changes Nervousness to Notes
3
Musical Garbage Cans
Xylophone Bin by Dominic Wilcox
2
Music from Recycled Footwear
‘Symphony for 54 Shoes'
1
Making Music With Typewriters
TypoSonic
Related Ideas
Gold-Foil Pickup Guitars
Fender's Special-Edition Guitars Make Use Of Snazzy Vintage-Style Pickups
Industrial Handheld Gaming Consoles
The Conceptual PocketMan P1 Has Exposed Components
Metallic Architectural Record Players
The Conceptual 'RYTM' Record Player is Harmonious
Dice-Shaped Gaming Consoles
unidice Elevates Analog or Digital Pastimes with Six Displays
Musical Instrument Pet Feeders
The 'Pet Piano' Smart Feeder Rewards Pets for Playing
Celebratory Colorful Synth Websites
Moog Music Presents the Minimoog Model D Synth Site
Periodic Table Keyboard Caps
Drop Designs the Awekeys that are Made from Unique Metals
Folding All-in-One Entertainment Systems
The PlayStation Capsule by Alisher Ashimov is Retro
Futuristic Abstract Musical Instruments
The Zeta Electric Guitar by Nicola Morelli is Chic
Aesthetically Pleasing CD Players
This Incredibly Modern CD Player Redefines How We Listen to CDs
Recycled Waste Speakers
Gomi Transforms Old Plastic Waste Into Bluetooth Speakers
Bi-Trimbal Analog-Hybrid Instruments
UDO Presents the New Super Gemini Synthesizer with 20 Voices
Modular Physical Media Players
This Winamp Media Player Device by Eslam Mod is Digitally-Inspired
AI-Powered Music Tools
Udio Removes the Barrier to Entry For Those Interested in Making Music
Retro Smartphone Music Systems
The Conceptual 'RE:PLAY' Smartphone Music Player is Nostalgic
Social-Centric Wireless Earbud Concepts
Kusi Boateng-Arthur Introduces the Social Earbud Concept
Retro Transparent Cassette Players
NINM Lab Unveils the Nostalgic It's Real Cassette Player
Celebratory Audio Lollipops
TastySounds' AudioLollipop Plays Happy Birthday via Bone Conduction
Fashionable Portable Speakers
The Nothing Sound is a Portable Speaker Concept by Hao Ping Chang
Acoustic Guitar Bows
The Pickaso Guitar Bow Helps Musicians Create New Sounds with Instruments
Radical Majestic Instrument Structures
Whipsaw's Ravenchord is a Reimagined Grand Piano
Tubular Note-Shaped Speakers
The Conceptual 'Mark' Premium Audio Device is Simple and Intuitive
90s-Inspired Music Players
Bang & Olufsen Release the Vintage Beosound 9000 CD Player
AI Beer Vending Machines
Panhead Custom Ales Created a Machine That Gives Beer to Guitarists
Swappable Component Floor Speakers
The Loudt 'musegg' Has a Modern Hi-Fi Construction
Rollable Bamboo Keyboards
The Bamboo Slips Keyboard by Bruce Tao is Slim and Highly Portable
Effect-Emitting Guitar Gadgets
This Guitar Kit Helps Acoustic Guitars Generate Electric Sounds
Introductory STEM Toy Sets
The Zig & Go from Djeco Combines Music and Forces in an Educational Toy
Pick-Dispensing Guitar Pedals
This Stompbox Has a Slot Through Which It Pops Out Your Next Pick
Retro Vinyl Record-Inspired Lamps
Artyom Alimpjvev Designs the Minimal Gramophone Lamp
Futuristic Floating Concert Halls
The Shed is Hosting a Unique Event with a Spherical Concert Hall
Funky Colorful Storage Units
Pavel Vetrov's Funky Storage Units Capture Attention
DJ Console-Inspired Puzzle Sets
LEGO Presents a Pioneer CDJ 2000 Console Moving Set
Repurposed Vintage Apple Computers
Aquariums, lamps, and clocks made out of Apple iMac Computers
AI-Powered Music Systems
The 'SPIN' AI Music Synthesizer by Arvind Sanjeev is Customizable
Origami-Inspired Lit Table Concepts
Sonakshi Gupta Designs the Dynamic LightUP Concept
Retro Cassette Brick Puzzles
The LEGO Sony Walkman is Designed by Srta.JirafaEnfadada
Ultra-Modern Record Players
This Modern Record Player by +AUDIO is High-Performance and Chic
Sex Toy-Resembling Wooden Tools
Craig Green Designs the Unique Jumbo Wooden Tools
Washing Machine-Inspired Speaker Concepts
Hari 3D Designs a Speaker Resembling a Home Appliance
Saxophone-Inspired Hand Grippers
Yamaha Unveil Its Latest Saxophone-Inspired Hand Gripper
Chicken Nugget-Shaped Gaming Devices
Tetris and McDonald's Collaborate on a Cheeky Tetris Device
Button-Activated Guitar Devices
The Rockdreamer GuitarBar Helps Players Hit Chords with Ease
Wearable PC Keyboard Controllers
The Grab Shell is a New Multifunctional Handheld Keyboard Design
Album-Inspired Turntables
Heinz Lichtenegger Designs the Dark Side of the Moon Turntable
Contemporary Vertical Turntables
ToVerse Unveils a New Dynamic Streaming Turntable Design
Artful Table Tennis Furniture
These NEDJ Ping Pong Tables Maintain a Quirky Form
Bamboo Smart Travel Guitars
Natasha's Travel Guitar is Inspired by the Yamaha Silent Guitars
Versatile Playback Audio Synths
The Arturia MicroFreak is an Affordable Synth in the Market
Tiny Washing Machines
Inventus Uses Coca Cola Cans to Create This Functional Washing Machine
MP3 Player Smartphone Wallpapers
These iPod Wallpapers Transform the iPhone into a Retro Device
AR Piano Previews
Roland AR Helps Shoppers Find the Right Piano with Augmented Reality
Fuzzy Musical Collectibles
Furblets are Interactive Toys That Introduce Furby to a New Generation
Enhanced Music Display Headsets
Olga Orel Designs the FUTUREAHEAD Headset with a Display
Encouraging Virtual Guitar Pedals
The UwU Virtual pet Buffer is an Adorable Guitar Pedal
Mid-Century Record Consoles
Wrensilva Unveils a New Catalog of Furniture for Stereo Systems
Text-to-Audio Music-Making Tools
Adobe Introduces its New Instant Project Music GenAI Tool
Corn-Based Music Albums
Roots Remastered is a First-of-Its-Kind Country Album Made from Corn
Retro-Style Travel Guitars
The VOX APC-1 Travel Guitar Blends Modern and Vintage Aspects
Water Movement Sculptural Instruments
The Inner Waves Installation is a Musical Light Show
Gamified Music-Making Machines
The 'Beat Machine' Has a Full-Size Arcade Game Design
Retro 3D-Printed Bags
Coperni's CD-PLAYER Swipe Bag Resembles a Portable Music Player
AI-Powered Music Creation
Soundry AI Offers Sample Packs and Text-to-Sound for Musicians
AI Music Generation
Stable Audio Invites Users to Create Music Up to Three Minutes in Length
Style-Conscious Record Players
The VS-01 Upright Vinyl Record Player Puts Media on Display
Connected Musical Chord Keyboards
The Chord Machine AKT-0.1 Offers a Range of Possibilities
AI Music Studios
OnePlus AI Music Studio Composes with Prompts
Water-Covered Speaker Installations
Google and Lachlan Turczan Unveil Shaped by Water in Milan
Quirky Strummable Synths
This Reimagined Electronic Synth is a Throwback to the 1980s
Color-Changing Eccentric Turntables
Brian Eno Designs the Turntable II with Unpredictable Patterns
Seamless AI Song-Making
Starmony Let's Anyone Make Music in Minutes
Playful Recycled Aluminum Chairs
The 'TUBA' Chair by Samuel Wilkinson is Easy to Store
Plant-Powered MIDI Sound Sculptures
The Love Hultén 'Tegel' Turns Plant Signals into MIDI Tones
Music-Inspired Avatar Campaigns
Bang & Olufsen Launches the See Yourself in Sound Ad
Portable Miniature Soundboards
The SEQTRAK Device by Yamaha Creates Music on the Go
Low-Cost Electric Harp Instruments
The 'Harp E' Electro Acoustic Harp is Affordable for Students
Recycled Plastic Portable Speakers
Gomi Releases Bluetooth Speakers Made of Recycled Plastic Waste
Pocket-Sized Beat Makers
The Stylophone BEAT is Fun, Interactive and Inexpensive
Musician-Themed Online Games
Fortnite Festival Lets Players Get in on the Concert Action
DIY Microphone Amplifiers
Pringles Created a Limited-Edition Microphone Amplifier for Gamers
Digital Visualized Feedback Instruments
The 'Vibra' Instrument Supports Hard of Hearing Users
AR-Fueled Musical Camera Apps
Minibeats by Artiphon Allows Users to Transform Their Movements
Music Festival Fabric Installations
Do Lab Created a Range of Fabric Mushrooms at Coachella
Instrument-Inspired Wall Lamps
The Louis Collection by Sara Schoenberger Honors a Jazz Musician
AI Music Generators
Riff Produces Royalty-Free Music for Content Creators
Conversation-Muting Audio Robots
These Miniature Robots Can Function As Microphone Arrays
AI-Powered Portable Speakers
The 'VBox' Boombox Utilizes ChatGPT to Help with Musical Exploration
Color-Changing Record Players
The Turntable II by Brian Eno is Limited-Edition and Eye-Catching
Singing Competition Audio Electronics
The Voice Electronics Take After the Hit ITV Studios Show
Multifunctional Music Gadgets
Artiphon Presents the Chorda Instrument with Multiple Features
Ambient Atmospheric Music Exhibitions
Brian Eno Presents a New Show at the Paul Stolper Gallery
Music-Based AI Frameworks
YouTube and Universal Music Group Collaborate on New AI Music Guidelines
Music-Playing Photo Frames
Samsung's Music Frame Blends Seamlessly into the Home
Dynamic Home Audio Speakers
TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist Unveils its New Sounds Speaker
Beer-Dispensing Guitar Machines
The 'Slay to Pay' Vending Machine is Activated by a Guitar Game
Playful Music Production Systems
Blipblox's myTRACKS Groovebox is a Complete Music Studio
Minimalist Lantern-Like Music Boxes
The REUGE 'Onkõ' Combines Design, Music and Mechanics
Content Creator-Friendly Music Libraries
RADAAR's Audio Library Can Enhance Content
Text AI-Generated Music
MusicLM Can Create Music of Any Genre with a Text Description
Comforting Musical Collars
The Music Mutz Collar Contains a Proprietary MP3 Player and Speakers
Movement-Tracking Air Drums
The 'Aerodrums 2' Kit Uses 3D Imaging to Enable Silent Drumming
Bean-Shaped Vibrant Chalks
Areaware Presents the Colorful New Bean Chalks for Imaginative Drawing
Sensory Musical Farm Bands
MEGA Bloks Introduces the New Sensory Musical Farm Band
Live Music-Replicating Headphones
écoute Presents the KORG Nutube P61 Amplified Headphones
Instrumental Music Creation Apps
ByteDance Creates the New Ripple App from Hummed Audio
Guitar-Holding Benches
Yamaha Design Lab Created This Unique Place to Sit
General Store-Inspired Consoles
Lisa Sacco Presents the New Haptic Wood Console Table
AI Singing Tools
AI Singing Let's Anyone Become a Musician or Composer in a Few Simple Steps
AI Karaoke Apps
Wondera Lets Users Create Their Own AI Karaoke Voice
Royalty Free Piano Music
This Site Offers Beautiful Music For Various Industries to Use
Trendy In-Game Music Hubs
Roblox Launches the New Roblox Music Hub for Music Discovery
Gothic Wooden Desk Lamps
The Gothic Table Lamp is a DIY Project and Interacts with Music
Copyright-Free Streamer Music
Talon Esports Will Create a New Music Album with United Esports
Portable Digital Instruments
The Uno Synth Pro X Features a Plethora of Audio Effects
Portable Miniature Music Studio
The Tracker Mini by Polyend is a Powerful Audio Box
Slim Portable Audio Turntables
Benjamin Großjohann Designs the Sleek New Coturn CT-01
Movement-Evoking Audio Visualizers
Dadk Jung Designs the FAV-LE22 Fluid Audio Visualizer
Seamless Music-Creation Tools
Klimper is Easy to Use for Seamless Track Creation
Cardboard Box-Transformed Furniture
Max Lamb Presents the Box Exhibition at Gallery Fumi
Textural Vacuum Tube Headphones
The écoute Vacuum Tube Audio Headphones Enhance Music and More
Sound Transforming Mobile Apps
The Outsidify App by Bastl Captures and Alters Sound on the Phone
Music-Focused Social Media
Musicboard is a Place for Music Lovers to Unite
Immersive Rhythmic Concert Games
Epic Games Added Guitar Controller Support to 'Fortnite Festival'
Monstrous Guitar Fuzz Pedals
This Aggressive Pedal Was Dreamed Up By Guitarist Kevin Shields
Musically Inspired Cocktail Menus
Hacha’s Cymatics Menu Influences Flavor with Sound Waves & More
Multi-Subject Learning Apps
Duolingo is Expected to Reveal Duolingo Music at Duocon 2023
Inflated Vibrant Futuristic Buses
Midjourney Helped Create the Mutated School Bus Design
AI Music-making App
Suno Plans to Be the Go-to App for All-Things Audio
Accessible Music Gaming Options
Trombone Champ Unveils a New Autotoot Option to the Game
All-in-One Song Writing Apps
Bunder Uses AI to Bring All-Things Song Writing into One Place
Virtual Music Video Generators
Banger.Show Creates Beautiful Videos in Minutes
Acoustic Synthesizer Prototypes
Korg Berlin's Acoustic Synthesis_phase5 is its First Prototype
Inflatable-Orb Stage Set Designs
BIG Designs the Stage Set for WhoMadeWho's World Tour
Weekly Personalized Music Curation
NewMusic Delivers New Tracks to Your Inbox Every Week
Playful Dynamic Furniture Capsule
Another Human Presents the New Galliforms Collection
Orchestral-Themed Lighting Series
Milan Iluminación Unveils the Symphony Collection of Lights
Musical Productivity Apps
FocusBeats Plays Music For 25 Minutes of Work and a 5 Minute Break
Puck-Shaped Audio Tools
Kano Designs the Stem Player with Unreleased J Dilla Songs
App-Assistive Concert Discoveries
Apple Added Concert Discovery Features to Its Music and Maps
Stanalone 61-Key Synthesizers
Arturia Designs the AstroLab with 10 Synthesis Engines