# Prickly Instruments The Cactus Key by Markus Lindemann is a Musical Delight By Matt Ho | Published 2011-01-13 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cactus-key References: [gearfuse](http://www.gearfuse.com/the-cactus-key-is-a-little-sharp/) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Mh8eHDN9MK0) The Cactus Key is a prickly instrument that’s surprisingly fun. German [musician and developer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/piek) Markus Lindemann wondered if a cactus would change its tuning as it ages. So he picked one up a cactus and discovered that the spines have a B-chromatic scale. Lindemann dubbed his [unusual instrument](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balls-in-concert) the Cactus Key which makes us look at the plant in a whole new way. Check out the video to watch the Cactus Key being demonstrated. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/internet) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Prickly Instruments:** The trend of creating unique musical instruments using unconventional materials like cacti. - **B-chromatic Scale:** The trend of exploring new scales and musical tunings to create unique sounds and experiences. - **Unconventional Plant Usage:** The trend of utilizing plants in unexpected ways to create innovative and engaging products. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Music Instrument Manufacturing:** The music instrument manufacturing industry can tap into the demand for unique instruments made from unconventional materials. - **Music Education:** The music education industry can incorporate the B-chromatic scale into their curriculum to introduce students to new musical concepts. - **Sustainable Product Design:** The sustainable product design industry can explore the use of plants in unconventional ways, like the Cactus Key, to create eco-friendly and innovative products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Powered MIDI Sound Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-hultn-tegel.md) - [Sustainable Hand-Crafted Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/working-synth.md) - [Artist-Designed Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tame-impala.md) - [Hexagonal Music Composition Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-composition-keyboard.md) - [Hybrid Music Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phase8.md) - [Connected Musical Chord Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chord-machine-akt01.md) - [Ultra-Modern MIDI Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/midi-device.md) - [Cactus-Infused Craft Lagers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cactus-craft-lager.md) - [Multifunctional Music Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chorda.md)