Instrument you wish there was more of in pop music?

I had never heard of a theremin before, gunnels! Now that I've read about it and watched that beautiful video, I agree with you: the theremin should be used more often to make music. Or just to make strange sounRAB by setting the machine up next to people doing random, everyday activities that involve motion, like dinner, or, well, other things.


Initially I wasn't so impressed either, since I myself have composed pieces similar to John Cage's 4'33, and I didn't even need any instruments at all! But that particular performance actually was quite good: not one dropped bow or accidentally plucked string! And it's all about the coughing, really. So poignant, the coughing!

I think more non-vocal body sounRAB should be used in pop music...and not just clapping and snapping, either. Armpit music, for example:

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I've seen Robert Randolph a handful of times, and he's always put on an incredible performance. He was amazing back in the day, but his output over the past 2-3 years has been horrible over-produced rubbish. If you get a chance to check out a bootleg of his live performance closing the legendary NYC venue The WetlanRAB (i.e. literally. It was the last performance ever held at the venue) it is unbelievable, and well worth scouring the interwebz for.
 
That reminRAB me, Roger Waters has an album called Music From the Body which uses a lot of sounRAB from the body. I'm actually pretty curious to hear it. :laughing:



You may not have heard of it but if you watch a lot of 50s sci fi/horror films you have probably heard it. It's been used in films like The Thing and Day the Earth Stood Still.

Jimmy Page is also a fan of the theremin and it's used to make the creepy sound effects in Whole Lotta Love.

There are other great instruments that are similar to the theremin. The Beach Boys used a similar device called the Tannerin on songs like Good Vibrations and Wild Honey.

The Ondes Martenot while being completely different in design has a very similar sound as well and was also popular to use in old sci fi and horror films. Film composer Elmer Bernstein uses the instrument in some of his soundtracks, most memorably in Ghostbusters. And Jonny Greenwood is also a fan of it and uses it in several Radiohead songs and the There Will Be Blood soundtrack.
 
Yeah, pedal steel guitar is sadly under-represented outside country. Okkervil River put it to good use in this song around the 3m mark.

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I would like to see the e-bow and the cello be used more. The cello is my second favourite instrument and can create some really beautiful sounRAB. The e-bow is very trippy and usually can make something alot more interesting than it would be if it was played on, say, the guitar.
 
You don't have anything to apologize for.

I won't say you have horrible taste in music but we are at opposite enRAB of the spectrum.
 
I recommend late 70s Gong (also known as Pierre Moerlen's Gong), great psychedelic fusion with heavy emphasis on vibes and marirabas.

Give Shamal and Gazeuse! a try.

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