Automated Musical Instruments

"QUANTUM SHOT" #234
Article by guest blogger Jason Heath

Welcome our guest blogger - Jason Heath of "Jason Heath's Double Bass Blog", which features music news, crazy gig stories, and commentary about the music business, as well as bass photos and videos. Jason also produces a weekly podcast called Contrabass Conversations which covers all things bass-related. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Society of Bassists (link) and is a staff writer for Bass Musician Magazine (link).

Unusual Instrument / Robot Hybrids

Musical instrument makers have always been fascinated by pushing the boundaries of their craft, and several creative individuals have created automated musical instruments that play without the need of a human performer. Belgian composer, performer, and instrument maker Godfried-Willem Raes has invented a huge number of bizarre and offbeat instruments during his career. Many of them are unusual instrument/robot hybrids capable of being controlled by computers.

The Flex automat was completed in 2003. It consists of blades of stainless steel struck by solenoid driven beaters and bend by a system of heavy duty stepping motors, resembling a singing saw:

Other automated percussion instruments include the Klung:
(computer controlled acoustical angklung)

The Rotomoton:
(an assembly of 5 drums with beaters, controlled by computer)

Various Springers (automated shakers, sirens, and springs): and various other automated percussion instruments:

Other creations include the two string, four octave Hurdy-Gurdy created out of an old double bass neck:

a cymbal-playing robot:

and the automated accordion:

The House on the Rock

The strange and delightful House on the Rock outside of Madison is a treasure trove of automated instruments and musical curiosities. It's also a kind of architectural wonder; for example, "Infinity Room" structure, jutting out like an other-worldly crane over the Wisconsin forest:

The gardens around the House are full of bizarre sculptures:

(image credit: Forbidden Donut)

It also features "The Music of Yesterday", a huge collection of automatic music machines, including Franz Josef's music machine that had actually belonged to the Austrian emperor. Even the entryways to the collection are something to behold:

Drums are arranged in huge sculptures in the larger public spaces:

and smaller rooms house vast collections of automated instruments:

Some instruments in this collection are also electronic, like the Space Organ:

Other Automatons

Maywa Denki has also created a set of self-playing instruments:

Self-playing instruments from Maker Faire 2007, San Mateo, CA:

We also need to mention Carlos Corpa, who creates robotic orchestras (plus robots that beg for money, recite poetry and make the automated painting shows)

(image credit: Carlos Corpa)

Musical Instruments as Art, or a Statement

Some musicians aren't satisfied with the standard size of their instrument, playing instruments like this enormous tuba:

Some people just like to make art out of instruments:

....while some people just make instruments out of anything laying around, like this harp and bass hybrid:

...or this violin made from an armadillo shell:

The Gas Tank Orchestra uses instruments made from...well, you guessed it:

...while some Colombians play this instrument made out of a rifle--making a political as well as musical point:

Article by Jason Heath, Double Bass Blog for Dark Roasted Blend.
(want to become a co-blogger? write to us, see guidelines here)

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