# Playable Toy Block Instruments The Ross Crawford LEGO Ukelele is a Fully Functional Music Maker By Leslie Chen | Published 2011-06-13 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ross-crawford-lego-ukelele References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/14945/lego-ukulele.html) & [brothers-brick](http://www.brothers-brick.com/2011/05/21/tunable-playable-lego-ukelele/) Fully functional and fun to look at, the Ross Crawford [LEGO](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-gramophone) Ukelele is a musical masterpiece. Playable and tunable, the instrument works perfectly even though it’s made of [pieces of LEGO](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-boy-set). Tuned to C, F, A, D, the Ross Crawford LEGO Ukelele can play your favorite tunes with ease. To prevent explosion upon pressure of the strings, Crawford used a pre-stressed Technic rod for the neck. Technicalities aside, the ukelele looks like a real instrument from afar, and not like a composition of toy pieces. Already amazed at the [LEGO composition](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-ideas-eras-tour-poster), I did not actually expect it to work. Although it may not exactly be like a ukelele that you are familiar with, the Ross Crawford LEGO Ukelele is an amazing piece of instrumental artwork. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/14945/lego-ukulele.html), [brothers-brick](http://www.brothers-brick.com/2011/05/21/tunable-playable-lego-ukelele/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 27% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Lego-based Instruments:** Opportunity to create and market fully functional musical instruments made from LEGO pieces. - **Playable Toy Block Innovations:** Potential for developing other playable toy block instruments that mimic real instruments. - **Instrumental Artwork:** Emerging trend of creating artistic and visually appealing musical instruments. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Toy Manufacturing:** Potential for toy companies to incorporate playable toy block instruments into their product lines. - **Musical Instrument Manufacturing:** Opportunity for instrument manufacturers to explore innovative materials and designs for their products. - **Art and Design:** Intersection between art and music, offering artists and designers the chance to create unique and visually striking instruments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vintage Puzzle Gramophones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-gramophone.md) - [Interactive Bloclk Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dancing-hula-girl.md) - [Connected Ukulele Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-ukulele.md) - [Block Puzzle Microscope Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/functional-microscope.md) - [Functional Building Block Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-zh1.md) - [Toy-Inspired Music-Themed Workshops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creativity-workshops.md) - [Recycled Guitar Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-guitar-1.md) - [Building Block Gaming Consoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-ps-one.md) - [Trophy-Inspired Puzzle Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gramophone.md)