In a rush? Here’s our top 3 

1. Theremin 
2. Glass Armonica 
3. Zeusaphone 

Weird and rare instruments used in classical music 

1. Theremin

If you’ve ever heard that eerie, wavering sci-fi sound and wondered where it comes from, there’s a good chance it was a theremin. You might recognise it from Mars Attacks! or the Loki, where it helps build that unsettling, otherworldly atmosphere.

But it’s how you play it that makes it so unusual. Instead of touching the instrument, you move your hands vertically and horizontally through electromagnetic fields – this controls the pitch and volume of the instrument. 

It was invented in the early 1920s in Russia by Léon Theremin, and although some people might not like how strange it sounds, it really captures a ghostly atmosphere like nothing else. 

2. Glass armonica 

The glass armonica was developed in the 18th century by Benjamin Franklin and became popular across Europe, particularly in classical music circles.

It works by spinning glass bowls while you lightly touch them with damp fingers. That friction creates sound. The player must be incredibly careful to touch the bowls with the correct pressure. Too light and no sound will be produced; too hard and the bowls may shatter. 

Although composers like Mozart and Beethoven wrote pieces for it, its popularity faded, as rumours spread that the instrument could cause madness and depression. The psychologist Franz Mesmer even used it to hypnotise patients!

3. Zeusaphone 

The zeusaphone, often called a “singing Tesla coil”, is a modern experimental instrument used in science demonstrations and live electronic performances. The band ArcAttack pushed this idea forward, using custom-built instruments and massive Tesla coils firing in time with the music. 

It creates music by firing high-voltage electrical arcs into the air, with the sparks themselves producing sound. Pitch and rhythm are controlled by modulating the electrical charge. 

That means you’re essentially listening to lightning being shaped into music (which feels as dramatic as it sounds). It’s visually striking, but also unpredictable.

4. Hurdy-gurdy 

Used today by early music ensembles and singers, such as Patty Gurdy, the hurdy-gurdy is actually a traditionally Celtic instrument.

The instrument dates back all the way to medieval Europe, where it was used in folk performances and court music. The combination of rhythm, melody, and harmony allowed the instrument to stand out against its contemporaries.

It produces sound using a rotating wheel that rubs against the strings, acting like a continuous bow. Instead of frets, you press keys that change the pitch, which leads to the droning sound for which it is known. 

5. Daxophone 

The daxophone (named to echo the saxophone) is a relatively recent invention, created in Germany in the 1980s by experimental musician Hans Reichel. You’ll mainly encounter it in avant-garde performances and sound art, though it is also used in the 2024 mystery film The Watchers. 

It’s made up of thin wooden blades that you bow while pressing them against a block to adjust the pitch. The result is a wide range of vocal-like sounds. 

Some tones can resemble human speech or animal calls, which can catch you off guard when you first hear them. That unpredictable nature is what makes the daxophone so fun to listen to. 

6. Aeoliphone 

The aeoliphone, also known as a wind machine, comprises a rotating drum covered in fabric, which rubs against wooden slats as it turns. This creates a rushing, airy sound that mimics natural wind.

This naturalistic character led to its use as a percussion instrument by composers such as Richard Strauss, Vaughan Williams, and Benjamin Britten. It builds drama and tension and, of course, is used to suggest an approaching storm. 

It first appeared as early as the 1700s, though it wasn’t until the early 1900s that it was properly refined into a more recognisable and widely usable form.

7. Musical saw 

The musical saw is played by bending a standard hand saw and drawing a bow across the blade. The curve changes the pitch, allowing you to shape smooth, gliding notes.

It’s weird, but its voice-like tone is exactly why it has been used since the early 20th century, appearing in vaudeville shows, film soundtracks, and experimental music, like Khachaturian’s 1936 piano concerto and the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. 

You might recognise its sound from other vintage performances or eerie cinematic moments.

8. Stroviol 

As the precursor to the modern electric violin,  instead of a wooden body, the stroviol uses a metal resonator and horn to project the violin’s sound forward, much like a gramophone.

Also known as the Stroh violin, it was invented in 1989 by Johannes Stroh and was mainly used before electronic amplification became common. You’d find it in small ensembles and early recording settings, where musicians needed the extra volume without microphones.

That design may seem odd and antiquated now, but it was a clever solution at the time, giving string players a way to cut through the mix. 

9. Heckelphone 

At first glance, the heckelphone may look like an oversized oboe, but it actually produces a much lower, fuller sound.

Wilhelm Heckel designed it in the early 20th century to fill the gap between the oboe and bassoon. You’ll mainly hear it in orchestral works by composers like Richard Strauss, where its deeper tone adds weight to the woodwind section.

FAQs 

What are the rarest instruments? 

The rarest instruments include creations like the glass armonica, octobass, hydraulophone, and pyrophone. These instruments are rare due to complex construction, limited makers, and niche demand. Many are preserved in museums or used only by specialist performers 

What are the top 10 hardest instruments? 

The top 10 hardest instruments are the violin, French horn, oboe, piano, harp, bagpipes, organ, double bass, trumpet, and bassoon – but of course, the difficulty of playing these is subjective. These instruments demand precision, control, and endurance. To master them often requires years of disciplined practice and refined technique. 

What is the most unusual instrument in the world? 

The most unusual instrument in the world is often considered the theremin due to its touchless playing style and eerie sound. It’s controlled by hand movements in electromagnetic fields. Its uniqueness lies in its futuristic design and the skill required to play it accurately. 

Final thoughts 

In this article about weird and rare instruments, we’ve covered everything from modern marvels to medieval mechanics, with each instrument offering a truly unique sound. 

Some add texture, others take centre stage, and a few blur the line between music and experimentation. While you may not pick one up yourself, knowing how they’re used gives you a clearer ear for the detail and creativity behind the music.